King Charles delivered the speech in parliament announcing the government's agenda. Keir Starmer has laid out long-promised changes to education, health and the courts in the King's Speech, which maps out the government's agenda for the next year.
Key Areas of the Legislative Agenda
1. Europe
Keir Starmer and his ministers have been talking with increasing emphasis about the damage done to the UK economy by Brexit and the need for a reset of relations with the EU. The European partnership bill will contain controversial powers to fast-track legislation for new agreements with the EU, aiming to improve relations and strengthen European security.
2. Economy
The steel industry (nationalisation) bill will bring British Steel under formal government control. The regulating for growth bill allows pilot schemes for defence technology and AI-controlled ships. The competition reform bill speeds up regulator reviews, and the small business protections bill increases penalty interest for late payments.
3. Public Services
The NHS modernisation bill abolishes NHS England, allows patient records on the NHS app, and requires mayoral nominees on local health boards. The draft conversion practices bill bans measures to change sexual orientation or gender identity. The education for all bill enacts SEND changes, and the courts modernisation bill scales back jury trials.
4. Housing
The commonhold and leasehold reform bill bans new flats as leasehold and caps ground rents at £250. The social housing renewal bill exempts new social homes from right to buy for 35 years and protects domestic abuse victims. The remediation bill requires landlords to remove unsafe cladding by 2029.
5. Immigration
The immigration and asylum bill makes it harder for migrants to gain settled status, easier to revoke refugee status, and restricts taxpayer support for asylum seekers. Some Labour MPs have criticised the measures as mimicking Donald Trump.
6. What Was Missing?
Despite previous backlash, the speech did not include a standalone welfare reform bill, though ministers promised to respond to reviews and continue reforming the system.
