London ( CNN ) -- The UK government has put immigration reform and the economy at the heart of its plans for the new parliamentary session , which opened Wednesday with the Queen 's Speech . The address by Queen Elizabeth II for the ceremonial state opening of Parliament is written by the government , although read out by the monarch . At the center of the government 's legislative agenda is a new bill with `` tough new measures to continue immigration reform and prevent illegal immigrants accessing services they 're not entitled to , '' the Home Office said . `` The bill will ensure that this country attracts people who will contribute and deters those who will not , '' the queen said . The legislation will also `` contain measures to make it harder for people to prevent their removal with spurious appeals , reduce the complexity of immigration law and make clear that foreign national offenders should be deported , except in extraordinary circumstances , '' the Home Office said . A move to the right on immigration may be a response to the political threat posed by the UK Independence Party , known as UKIP , which has made gains in local elections at the expense of the Conservatives . UKIP has promised steps to limit the number of migrants entering Britain . Measures to make deportation easier may also reflect the Home Office 's long-running , and so far unsuccessful , efforts to deport radical Islamist cleric Abu Qatada . A series of legal appeals have kept the Jordanian national in the country . Lawmaker Yvette Cooper , of the opposition Labour Party , criticized the measures outlined in the Queen 's Speech , saying they fail to tackle key issues around the exploitation of foreign workers and illegal immigration . `` Immigration is important for Britain and needs to be controlled and managed so it is fair for all , '' she said . Welfare reforms . The government will also work to boost Britain 's economic competitiveness so it can continue to succeed in the world , the Queen 's Speech said . `` To this end , it will support the growth of the private sector and the creation of more jobs and opportunities , '' the queen said . In addition , the government intends to pass new measures to tackle anti-social behavior , cut crime and reform the police . The legislative agenda also includes more measures to reform the state benefits system , `` helping people move from welfare to work , '' the speech said . The government 's sweeping welfare reforms , affecting state help for the disabled and unemployed , have already been controversial in Britain , which is struggling with a large budget deficit . The Conservatives govern in coalition with the Liberal Democrats . Queen Elizabeth II to miss Commonwealth heads meeting . The Queen 's Speech also said the government `` will continue to make the case for Scotland to remain in the United Kingdom . '' Scots will go to the polls next year to decide whether Scotland should stay in the United Kingdom or become independent . Prime Minister David Cameron has previously said he wants Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom . The queen 's appearance at Parliament , accompanied by her husband , Prince Philip , came a day after Buckingham Palace said it was reviewing the number of long-haul flights she takes . The monarch will miss a meeting of Commonwealth heads of government in Sri Lanka in November , sending her son , Prince Charles , in her place . CNN 's Antonia Mortensen contributed to this report .
Queen Elizabeth II reads a speech to Parliament that sets out the government 's agenda . At its heart is a proposal for a tough new bill on immigration , the government says . Steps to strengthen the economy are also a priority , the speech says . The government will continue to press for Scotland to stay within the United Kingdom .