King Charles Unveils Government’s Legislative Plans in State Opening of Parliament – NATIONAL NEWS

Key measures in the King’s Speech:

King Charles has set out the government’s legislative agenda for the coming parliamentary session during the State Opening of Parliament, outlining a programme centred on economic reform, housing, transport, policing and national security.

The King’s Speech included plans for 37 bills, eight of which had already been introduced in Parliament. The programme comes as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer continues to face questions over his leadership, with political speculation overshadowing the ceremonial event at Westminster.

Among the most significant economic measures is the proposed Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill, which would grant ministers powers to nationalise British Steel where deemed to be in the public interest. The government also announced a European Partnership Bill, designed to speed up legislation linked to future agreements with the European Union.

A Regulating for Growth Bill would introduce pilot schemes intended to support innovation in sectors including defence technology and AI controlled shipping. Ministers also pledged reforms aimed at easing regulation for businesses through a Competition Reform Bill and an Enhancing Financial Services Bill.

Small businesses are expected to benefit from stronger protections under a proposed Late Payments Bill, which would increase penalties for companies failing to pay suppliers on time.

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Housing reform featured prominently in the programme. A Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill would ban the use of leasehold for new flats in England and Wales and cap ground rents at £250 a year. Ministers also proposed a Social Housing Renewal Bill, including measures to exempt newly built social homes from Right to Buy rules for 35 years and introduce additional protections for domestic abuse victims living in social housing.

The government also announced a Remediation Bill aimed at forcing construction product manufacturers to contribute towards the removal of unsafe cladding from buildings.

Transport proposals include a Railways and Passenger Benefits Bill, which would establish a new passenger watchdog and merge the existing rail operator websites into a single platform. A draft Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Bill would create a national database of licensed taxis and private hire vehicles to improve passenger safety.

The government also confirmed plans for a Northern Powerhouse Rail Bill, setting out proposals for a rail line linking Manchester and Millington via Manchester Airport. A Civil Aviation Bill would introduce new powers over airport take off and landing slots to support expansion projects.

In policing and justice, ministers outlined plans for major structural reform. A Police Reform Bill would create larger police forces across England and Wales and establish a national agency focused on investigating the most serious crimes. Meanwhile, a Courts Modernisation Bill includes controversial proposals to reduce the use of jury trials.

Immigration measures were also included. The proposed Immigration and Asylum Bill would make it easier to revoke refugee status and reduce taxpayer funded support for asylum seekers.

Health reforms would be introduced through an NHS Modernisation Bill, which would abolish NHS England, expand access to patient records through the NHS App and place mayoral representatives on local health boards. The government also confirmed plans for a draft Conversion Practices Bill aimed at banning practices intended to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Energy and environmental policy formed another major section of the speech. An Energy Independence Bill would introduce stricter energy efficiency standards for rented homes and expand targeted support for vulnerable households. Ministers also proposed increasing taxes on excess profits made by electricity generation companies.

Further measures include a Nuclear Regulation Bill to streamline approval processes for new nuclear projects and a Clean Water Bill designed to merge several water regulators, including Ofwat, into a single system of oversight.

On national security, the government announced a Tackling State Threats Bill containing powers to ban state linked organisations such as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. A National Security Bill, introduced following the 2024 Southport attack, would criminalise sharing material that glorifies or normalises serious violence.

Digital and technology measures include plans for a voluntary digital identity scheme through a Digital Access to Services Bill and new cyber security reporting obligations for data centres under a Cyber Security and Resilience Bill.

Constitutional and governance reforms were also included. The Representation of the People Bill would lower the voting age to 16 and restrict foreign political donations. A Removal of Peerages Bill would create powers to remove peerages from members of the House of Lords, while the proposed Hillsborough Law would introduce a statutory duty of candour for public officials.

Other measures announced include reforms to special educational needs provision, restrictions on ticket resale pricing and legislation to support the delivery of the UEFA Euro 2028 football tournament, which will be co hosted by England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland.

The government also confirmed that some previously expected measures were absent from the speech. Legislation concerning the transfer of sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius did not appear after reported opposition from US President Donald Trump. Welfare reform legislation was also omitted, although ministers said they would respond to an upcoming review of the benefits system later this year.

No new government legislation on assisted dying was announced, following the collapse of a previous private member’s bill in the House of Lords during the last parliamentary session.