King Charles will today outline the Government’s priorities at the State Opening of Parliament - as Keir Starmer fights for his premiership.
The PM is hoping to put Labour infighting aside and present a vision that will silence his critics. Last night No.10 insisted the King’s Speech will outline plans to strengthen public services and reverse decline.
This week the Prime Minister has been shaken by dozens of MPs demanding he resign after disastrous election results across England, Wales, and Scotland. On Tuesday, safeguarding minister Jess Phillips resigned after launching a scathing attack on Mr. Starmer’s record - accusing him of blocking steps to protect children online.
The PM is hoping for some respite amidst the pomp and ceremony. For the second time since the general election in 2024, the monarch will deliver the King’s Speech outlining the Government’s plans for the next Parliamentary session.
The speech is set to unveil over 35 bills, No.10 said - with new laws on asylum, leasehold rights, transforming the school system, and creating a "British FBI".
UK's first non-binary priest says God guided them to come out after an epiphany
The PM said: "The British people expect the Government to get on with the job of changing our country for the better. Cutting the cost of living, bringing down hospital waiting lists, and keeping our country safe in an increasingly dangerous world.
"Britain stands at a pivotal moment: to press ahead with a plan to build a stronger, fairer country or turn back to the chaos and instability of the past. My government will deliver on the promise of change for the British people."
1. Immigration
No.10 said there will be laws to "restore order and control of the asylum system".
This is expected to include legislation that limits the right to appeal if an asylum claim is rejected. Specifically, this will restrict how article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) - protecting the right to family life - is applied.
It is often invoked to argue that removal would split up families.
2. ’British FBI’
The speech is expected to build on Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s policing reforms unveiled in January.
Ms. Mahmood announced the number of police forces will be reduced, and a new National Police Service (NPS) will be created. This will focus on country-wide and international organized crime and terrorism, freeing up forces to focus on the things that blight communities, she said.
Rail strikes resume tomorrow as Brits face disruption on return to work
3. Leasehold reform
This King’s Speech will include measures to deliver on long-promised reforms to leasehold laws.
The Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill will increase rights for extending leases and buying freeholds in England and Wales. There will also be a £250 cap on ground rent.
4. Nationalizing British Steel
British Steel will be nationalized to secure thousands of jobs, it will be announced.
The government saved the nation’s steel industry from the brink of collapse by taking day-to-day control of the business’s works in Scunthorpe last year.
But economic control of the plant has remained in Chinese hands since, leaving the company in what has been described as "a halfway house" rendering vital modernization impossible.
5. Cutting NHS bureaucracy
The King’s Speech is set to include legislation to dismantle NHS England and streamline the health service.
After the quango is scrapped, responsibility for overseeing health spending will be shared between ministers and local health boards. A single electronic patient record is expected to be created.
This will make it easier for patients to receive the care they need and reduce bureaucracy, supporters say.
6. New EU bill
This one will get the Nigel Farages of this world wound up.
According to The Financial Times, new legislation will allow EU laws to be transferred onto UK statute books swiftly. These would include crucial employment rights protections.
Earlier this week, Mr. Starmer vowed to align the UK more closely with Europe.
7. Building safety
Labour came to power promising to implement measures to prevent a repeat of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
The Building Safety Remediation Bill will require buildings with unsafe cladding to be fixed and support leaseholders and residents with the cost of the work. It will also set out requirements to fix buildings faster.
8. Water firm regulation
The Government has pledged to overhaul the way the water industry is regulated.
The King’s Speech will outline plans to replace Ofwat with a new single regulator. This will be responsible for tackling pollution and capping household bills in England.
9. ’Tourism tax’
One of the controversial measures set to be included in the speech will be a ’tourism tax’.
An overnight levy would be set by mayors to be reinvested back into local areas that see a large influx of visitors. The tax would apply to hotels and bed and breakfasts.
10. Hillsborough Law
The long-promised Hillsborough Law - setting out a legal obligation for public bodies to tell the truth - is expected to be included.
The Government has been criticized for missing deadlines promised to the families of the 97 who tragically died in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster. The stalemate has been caused by a dispute over the extent to which the new duty of candour will apply to the security services.
The PM is set to scrap plans to allow security agencies an exemption.
11. Energy independence
The King’s Speech will include the Energy Independence Bill to end the UK’s dependence on fossil fuels.
No.10 said the legislation would grant ministers more power to tackle rising energy prices. It would also speed up the delivery of clean energy technologies and vital grid infrastructure, the Government said.
Editor-in-Chief
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
