Ten Things To Know From The King's Speech

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This year’s King’s Speech had ten key points. For this industry, the commitment to building homes and revising the planning system are key along with skills and employment. But what else did His Majesty commit his government to?

There were 39 bills and draft bills that were mentioned to enable economic growth – including a bill that enforces tough new spending rules.

King Charles said: “The package of bills will focus on growing the economy through speeding up the building of houses and infrastructure, improving transport, creating more jobs and securing clean, green energy – helping to make every part of the country better off.”   

Here are ten things to know about the new programme of legislation:

 

Kickstart economic growth 

A new bill will strengthen the role of the Office of Budget Responsibility, meaning significant fiscal announcements must be properly scrutinised and that taxpayers’ money is respected. 

 

Get Britain building   

The government has committed to get Britain building through planning reform to speed up the delivery of high-quality housing and infrastructure. 1.5m homes have been promised over the next five years.

Labour will also give more rights to people renting their homes, including putting an end to unfair no-fault evictions, and reforming grounds for possession.  

 

Make work pay   

The Employment Rights Bill is the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation.  The King committed to ban exploitative zero-hours contracts, end fire and rehire; and introduce basic employment rights immediately.   Labour plans changes to the Low Pay Commission, to ‘make sure the minimum wage is a genuine living wage’.

 

Hand back power to communities   

The new government plans to introduce a bill to move power out of Westminster and give power to local leaders. New laws will give more powers to metro mayors and combined authorities, helping support local plans.   

 

Provide better transport   

New laws will improve the railways by reforming rail franchising, establishing Great British Railways and bringing train operators into public ownership.  

Local leaders will be able to take control of their bus services.

 

Make Britain a clean energy superpower 

Labour has longed banged on about its commitment to making Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030 and helping lower household bills for good over time. Ling Charles said a new bill will help set up Great British Energy, a publicly owned clean-power company that will help boost energy security, create jobs and build supply chains in every corner of the UK.

Kier Stramer has said: “We’ll introduce legislation that helps unlock investment in energy infrastructure, supports sustainable aviation fuel production and strengthens the water regulator’s powers.   

 

Strengthen borders 

The government will strengthen the border with a new bill that modernises the asylum and immigration system, including launching a new Border Security Command.   

 

Take back our street

The government will introduce laws to strengthen community policing, giving the police greater powers to deal with anti-social behaviour and strengthen support for victims.   

 

Break down barriers to opportunity 

Labour will take action to raise educational standards and break down barriers to opportunity. This includes measures to help people back into employment.

There will be an end to tax breaks for private schools (apparently producing the funding of 6,500 new teachers) and the setting up of Skills England to make sure there is a highly trained workforce.

There is also a plan afoot to reform the apprenticeship levy and legislation to enshrine the full right to equal pay in law.

 

Improve the NHS  

There will be a focus on reducing waiting times and focusing on prevention.  

The government will aim to improve mental health provision for young people and make sure it’s given the same attention and focus as physical health via a new Mental Health Act.

The health plan also includes introducing legislation to help stop young people smoking and vaping and to restrict advertising junk food to children, along with the sale of high caffeine energy drinks to children.  

 

Picture: King Charles at the State Opening of Parliament where he declared the commitments his new government will make.

Article written by John Roper
18th July 2024

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