Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a sweeping legislative agenda for the next parliamentary session, including plans to abolish NHS England, overhaul special educational needs provision, and introduce digital ID. The measures, outlined in the King’s Speech on Wednesday, aim to reform public services and boost economic growth, but face immediate challenges as Health Secretary Wes Streeting is expected to resign on Thursday, potentially triggering a leadership contest.
Starmer told the Commons the agenda would make Britain “stronger and fairer”, promising radical reform across major public services. Key bills include exempting social homes from right-to-buy for 35 years, ending the leasehold system in England and Wales, and limiting jury trials. The government also plans to curb legal and illegal migration by making asylum appeals harder and doubling the time for some to gain indefinite leave to remain.
The speech, delivered by King Charles, emphasised economic security and living standards. It included measures to adopt European regulations and force regulators to consider growth. However, Labour MPs criticised the package as lacking urgency. Rachael Maskell urged the government to maintain rights for indefinite leave to remain, while Bell Ribeiro-Addy said the offering “pales in comparison” to what is needed.
On housing, the leasehold bill will ban new flats being sold as leasehold, though the ban may not take effect until after the next election. The right-to-buy changes aim to boost affordable housing stock. In education, fewer pupils will be eligible for education, health and care plans, but schools will gain more responsibility for special needs teaching. Digital ID will be introduced for immigration checks when starting a new job, but will not be mandatory.
