MOVES to crackdown on bogus ‘whiplash’ claims which have hiked East Lancashire car insurance premiums have been welcomed by campaigning politicians.

Former Blackburn MP Jack Straw and re-elected Hyndburn Labour MP Graham Jones said the provisions in yesterday’s Queen’s Speech were good news for local drivers.

The move featured in the Royal Address to Parliament, setting out the government’s post-election programme of legislation for the next two years, which got a mixed reaction from local politicians.

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Heavy on new laws to implement Brexit it also included Bills to extend the HS2 high-speed rail link to Crewe, permit the development of driverless cars, spaceports and commercial satellites, protection for victims of domestic abuse and ban letting fees for private rented homes.

Mr Straw said: “I welcome this measure on whiplash claims which results from a campaign I started in 2011 because of the effect these frauds had on motor insurance premiums on drivers in the BB1 postcode.

“It has taken a long time for action but it is good news.”

Hyndburn MP Mr Jones, who has also campaigned on the issue, said: “This is the right thing to do but more is need to control claims management companies which contribute to the problem.

“I welcome the measures to combat domestic violence and also the measures on letting fee by landlords and agents but there is still further action need on the whole fiasco of the private rented sector.”

Rossendale and Darwen Conservative MP Jake Berry welcomed the speech.

He said: “While this will be a Government that consults and listens, we are clear that we are going to see Brexit through, working to ensure a smooth and orderly withdrawal.

“This will therefore be a busy legislative session with a number of Bills geared towards making a success of Brexit.”

Burnley Labour MP Julie Cooper was less enthusiastic. She said: “This was a threadbare speech with no clear plan for Brexit, no attempt to address the growing problems in the NHS, no plan to address the social care scandal; no plan to address the funding crisis in our schools.

“Overall it is a weak plan from a weak Prime Minister.”

The speed ditched Tory manifesto plans to scrap universal free school lunches, expand grammars, means-test winter fuel payments, and offer a free vote on fox-hunting.

Proposals for a ‘dementia tax’ to pay for adult social care reform were kicked into the long grass.

Ribble Valley Tory MP Nigel Evans said: “I am delighted with this programme, which had it been to Tory election manifesto we would have won with 100 seats.

“I am pleased to see that the ‘dementia tax’ and abolition for winter fuel allowances and free school lunches have been dropped.”

Blackburn Labour MP Kate Hollern said: “I have never seen a Queens speech like this, it fails on many levels to address the issues facing the country .

“There is no plan to end austerity, which we all know is not working and it is hurting some of the most vulnerable in our society.”

Mrs Hollern added: “There was no mention of investment in social care, the police or the health service.”