King Charles III has set out the Government's priorities for the year ahead during the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday. The monarch delivered the King's Speech in the House of Lords, marking the formal beginning of the parliamentary year.
Security and Foreign Policy
In his address, the King highlighted the increasingly dangerous and volatile world threatening the United Kingdom, citing the conflict in the Middle East as a recent example. He stated that every element of the nation's energy, defence and economic security will be tested. The Government will respond with strength and aim to create a fair country for all. Ministers will take decisions to protect the UK's long-term energy, defence and economic security, defending British values of decency, tolerance and respect for difference. Urgent action will be taken to tackle antisemitism and ensure all communities feel safe.
Economic Security and Growth
The Government believes economic security depends on raising living standards across the UK. Ministers will support measures to maintain stability and control the cost of living, use public investment to shape markets, and attract private investment. They will deploy the power of an active state in partnership with business to enable reforms for higher growth and a fair deal for working people. Improved trading relations are vital, and legislation will be introduced to strengthen ties with the European Union and tackle late payments, reducing unnecessary regulation through innovation.
Infrastructure and Public Services
Legislation will be introduced to unlock airport expansion, enable road building at pace including the Lower Thames Crossing, and deliver Northern Powerhouse Rail for the North of England. The Government will continue to safeguard domestic steel production. Significant reforms to the police, NHS, and criminal justice system will be pushed forward. Legislation will increase confidence in the immigration and asylum systems, clean up the water industry, and establish Great British Railways.
Education and Social Reforms
The Government believes every child deserves the chance to succeed regardless of poverty, special educational needs, or lack of respect for vocational education. Ministers will continue investing in apprenticeships and tackling youth unemployment. They will respond to the Milburn Review and Timms Review, reform the welfare system to support young and disabled people, and introduce a Bill to raise school standards and reform the special educational needs system. Digital ID will be introduced to modernise interactions with public services.
Trust in Public Office and Justice
The Government will introduce the Hillsborough Law to impose a duty of candour for public servants, and legislation to enable removal of peerages. Proposals will strengthen the Civil Service's delivery, accountability, innovation and productivity while safeguarding its impartiality. A Bill will speed up remediation for unsafe cladding, and a draft Bill will ban abusive conversion practices.
Foreign Affairs and Defence
The Government will continue unflinching support for Ukraine, seek to improve relations with European partners, promote long-term peace in the Middle East and a two-state solution, and uphold the UK's commitment to NATO with increased defence spending.
Housing and Energy
Legislation will increase long-term investment in social housing, reform the leasehold system including capping ground rents. An Energy Independence Bill will scale up homegrown renewable energy, and recommendations from the Nuclear Regulatory Review will encourage a new era of British nuclear energy generation. The Government will remain a leading advocate for tackling climate change and reducing poverty.
National Security and Armed Forces
Legislation will tackle threats from foreign state entities and their proxies, respond to the Southport attack with measures to protect from extreme violence, and improve cyber-security defences. An Armed Forces Bill will improve the service justice system and establish the Armed Forces covenant in statute.
Union and Devolved Governments
The Government is committed to the strength and integrity of the Union and will continue to work closely with devolved governments to deliver for citizens across the nation.
