PM Tells Cabinet: Give Working People A Chance

David Cameron has met his new Cabinet for the first time as his Government starts putting together legislation which will be a test of his authority.

The Prime Minister told his newly appointed ministers they should aim to "give everyone" in the UK "the chance to make the most of their life".

He outlined plans to create two million jobs, to help people with childcare, to reform welfare and to provide more apprenticeships.

It followed the completion of his Cabinet , with many of those who had previously been Secretaries of State in the last government staying in place.

Letting cameras into the meeting for the first time, the Tory leader told his first Conservative-only team: "Every decision we take, every policy we pursue, every programme we initiate, never forget: we're here to give everyone in our country the chance to make the most of their life.

"I call it being the real party for working people: giving everyone in our country the chance to get on, with the dignity of a job, the pride of a pay-cheque, a home of their own and the security and peace of mind that comes from being able to support a family."

Top of Mr Cameron's agenda is the referendum on Britain's EU membership, which he has promised by the end of 2017, and negotiating a better to deal for Britain.

He has put Chancellor George Osborne in charge of negotiations.

Speaking in Brussels on Tuesday morning, Mr Osborne said: "I don't think anyone is in any doubt we will hold that referendum on British membership of the EU, having conducted these negotiations.

"We go into the negotiations aiming to be constructive and engaged but also resolute and firm, and no one should underestimate our determination to succeed for the working people of Britain."

Speaking on Sky News, the new Business Secretary Sajid Javid, who takes over from Lib Dem Vince Cable, said he was sure the negotiations on Europe would be "successful" and that he "trusted the British people" to do the right thing.

He said he agreed with having the referendum to end the uncertainty over Britain's role within the EU that has grown over the last few years.

The first Queen's Speech, which sets out the new Government's priorities, will be part of the State Opening of Parliament on 27 May.

Downing Street said it will include the introduction of a legal duty to tell Parliament what progress has been made in the areas of achieving full employment and providing three million new apprenticeships.

The speech will also include a Bill to cap benefits at £23,000 and a new scheme which will see young people with no work experience required to take part in training or work placements or have their benefits removed.

A Bill increasing free childcare for three and four-year-olds to 30 hours a week will also be prioritised by the new Government, as will plans to introduce tax-free childcare for every child.

Mr Cameron will have to get the legislation through the House of Commons with a majority of 10 - the smallest Government majority at the start of a Parliament since 1974.

Many of the most senior Cabinet figures remain in post, with Theresa May staying on as Home Secretary, Philip Hammond as Foreign Secretary, and Michael Fallon as Defence Secretary.

Others who kept their jobs included Nicky Morgan as Education Secretary, Jeremy Hunt as Health Secretary and Iain Duncan Smith as Work and Pensions Secretary.

New faces include John Whittingdale, who was given Mr Javid's old job as Culture Secretary, Greg Clark who takes over from Eric Pickles as Communities and Local Government Secretary and Amber Rudd who becomes Energy and Climate Change Secretary.

London Mayor Boris Johnson, who also became MP for Uxbridge in the election, is allowed to sit in on Cabinet meetings but does not have a cabinet post.