THE government has outlined its plans to create a “Northern Powerhouse” as one of its key pledges in the Queen’s speech — which marks the state opening of Parliament.

The speech was the first to be created by an all Conservative government since the one produced by Prime Minister John Major in 1996.

Measures read out by the Queen explained how Prime Minister David Cameron will introduce legislation to “provide for the devolution of powers to cities with elected metro mayors", which he said will help to build the “Northern Powerhouse” that his party have talked about for some time.

The plan will result in powers for areas such as health and transport being devolved to city regions like Greater Manchester, with a single accountable mayor set to govern the region.

The speech also outlined a ban on any rises in income tax, national insurance and VAT for the next five years and the provision of 30 hours of free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds by 2017.

The Conservatives have also promised to push for reform of the European Union and confirmed that there will be an in/out referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU by the end of 2017.

There was also confirmation of proposals for a British Bill of Rights which the government wants to bring forward to replace the Human Rights Act, although a period of consultation will take place first.

The Prime Minister vowed to push forward with his policy of giving tenants of housing associations, such as Bolton at Home, the right to buy their homes at a discounted price.

There were promises to tackle extremism, cap the amount families can receive in benefits and create a 7-day operational National Health Service by 2020.

David Cameron said he also wants to press ahead with the “modernising” of the law on communications data and to ban the “new generation of psychoactive drugs" as well as reforming Trade Unions.