A significant constitutional change included in the Queen's Speech will introduce "English votes for English laws" (EVEL) in the House of Commons, reforming procedures so Scottish MPs cannot have the final say on laws affecting only England or Wales.

Meanwhile, cities and counties in England are to be given the opportunity to win new decision-making powers and controls over budgets as part of a devolution package for local government.

David Cameron announced his intention to introduce EVEL at Westminster in a surprise statement the morning after Scotland voted against independence last September.

In a statement, the Government said the reform would "maintain the Westminster Parliament as the UK and England's law-making body", but would end the "manifest unfairness whereby Scotland is able to decide its own laws in devolved areas, only for Scottish MPs also to be able to have the potentially decisive say on similar matters that affect only England and Wales".

It added: "We will maintain the integrity of the UK Parliament by ensuring that MPs from all parts of the UK continue to deliberate and vote together, including to set overall spending levels".

EVEL is intended to provide a balance to the increased devolution of decision-making powers north of the border as a result of the Smith Commission which followed the independence referendum. It is hoped it will put an end to the so-called "West Lothian Question" which has bedevilled UK politics since the creation of the devolved assemblies.

In practice, it will apply to issues like education, health, housing and local government, where powers have been devolved to the Holyrood Parliament.

But critics have accused the Prime Minister of taking advantage of the independence vote to slip in far-reaching changes which could give Tories a near-permanent majority over English matters.

The new procedures for English votes are to be introduced through a change to the House of Commons standing orders.

In her speech to MPs and peers, the Queen said they would "create fairer procedures to ensure that decisions affecting England, or England and Wales, can be taken only with the consent of the majority of Members of Parliament representing constituencies in those parts of our United Kingdom".

A Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill will provide for the devolution of powers to cities with elected "metro mayors", with the intention of helping to build the Northern Powerhouse planned by Chancellor George Osborne to boost economic growth in the regions.

The Bill will provide a legislative framework to deliver a devolution deal already struck with Greater Manchester, and will pave the way for similar arrangements in other large cities, or in "combined authorities" where neighbouring councils agree to come together under an elected mayor.