King Charles has unveiled the government's legislative agenda for the next year, with Keir Starmer placing long-promised changes to education, health, and the courts at the heart of his programme. The embattled prime minister aims to prove he can deliver the scale of change demanded by Labour MPs and voters.
Key Measures in the King's Speech
Wednesday's speech included bills to abolish NHS England, overhaul special educational needs provision, limit jury trials, introduce digital ID, and end the leasehold system in England and Wales. The package also features measures to tighten migrant settled status, which could spark backlash from Labour MPs.
Economic and Housing Reforms
Starmer promised to boost economic growth by adopting European regulations and forcing regulators to consider growth. Housing reforms include making it harder to buy council houses and effectively ending leasehold, though a ban on new leasehold flats won't take effect until after the next election.
In his written introduction, Starmer said: "For two decades our country has been buffeted by crisis after crisis. This time must be different. And this king's speech shows it will be different." He added: "We can sink into the politics of grievance and division, or we can choose to see it as an opportunity to deliver on the change we promised."
Public Service Overhauls
Health Secretary Wes Streeting will legislate to abolish NHS England, while Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson will reform special educational needs provision, making fewer pupils eligible for education, health, and care plans but giving schools more responsibility.
The digital ID bill will allow checks on immigration status for new jobs, though the ID will not be mandatory after Starmer backed down on a key element.
The speech, lasting 11.5 minutes, took place amid bitter Labour infighting over Starmer's leadership. Allies argue the changes will allow the party to fight the next election having fulfilled promises to fix public services.
