King's Speech Overview
On Wednesday, King Charles III will deliver the King's Speech, outlining the government's legislative agenda for the upcoming Parliamentary session and beyond.
The speech will receive heightened scrutiny as Sir Keir Starmer seeks to reinvigorate his premiership following disappointing election results for Labour.
Below is an overview of anticipated inclusions and exclusions in the speech.
Economy and Money
EU Alignment - Sir Keir Starmer has emphasized efforts to reset post-Brexit relations and strengthen economic ties with the European Union without committing to rejoining the single market or customs union. Planned legislation will enable the UK to adopt certain EU single market rules, particularly in areas such as food standards.
Cost of Living - In response to criticism from some Labour MPs, the prime minister may introduce bills aimed at addressing the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Welfare Cuts - The government is expected to renew efforts to reduce welfare expenditure after previous attempts were diluted due to opposition from its own MPs. Proposed legislation would restrict some benefits, including prohibiting individuals under 22 from claiming incapacity benefits. Additional reforms to disability benefits are anticipated following the conclusion of the Timms Review.
British Steel - Legislation will be introduced to permit the nationalisation of British Steel, contingent on a public interest test. This follows the government's takeover of British Steel's Scunthorpe steelworks from Chinese owners Jingye in April last year to prevent the closure of its blast furnaces.
National Wealth Fund Bill - Chancellor Rachel Reeves rebranded the National Infrastructure Bank as the National Wealth Fund in October 2024, aiming to stimulate private sector investment in infrastructure. The government intends to establish the fund in statute, providing it with clearly defined legal powers and objectives.
Financial Services Bill - A significant overhaul of financial regulation in the City of London is planned. According to The Financial Times, proposals include merging the Payment Systems Regulator into the Financial Conduct Authority and reforming the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Tourist Tax - Local Government Secretary Steve Reed initiated a consultation in November on empowering English regional mayors to impose a tax on tourists staying overnight in their towns and cities.
Public Procurement (British Goods and Services) Bill - This legislation, first debated in 2024, aims to require public bodies to procure more supplies and services from small and medium-sized UK companies.
Late Payment - In July last year, the government announced plans to penalize large companies that consistently fail to pay suppliers on time. Fines will apply to companies that do not pay small businesses within 60 days.
Asylum and Immigration
Legislation is expected to address restrictions on the application of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which protects the right to family life, in certain asylum cases.
Environment
Energy Independence Bill - Rising energy costs and supply security remain key concerns. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is expected to advance the Energy Independence Act, as promised in Labour's 2024 election manifesto.
The government has announced plans to increase the windfall tax on electricity companies' profits from 45% to 55%. Legislation is also likely to facilitate the installation of electric vehicle chargers by removing planning permission requirements.
Some energy policy aspects are devolved, and it remains unclear how much of the bill will apply to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Water Bill - Proposed legislation will replace Ofwat with a new single regulator responsible for reducing pollution and capping household water bills across England's water system.
This new body will consolidate responsibilities currently held by Ofwat, the Environment Agency, Natural England, and the Drinking Water Inspectorate, aiming to simplify regulatory complexity and improve customer outcomes.
Health and Housing
Legislation is required to implement Health Secretary Wes Streeting's commitment to abolish NHS England and to enact components of his 10 Year Health Plan.
Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill - This bill, already progressing through Parliament, seeks to enhance leaseholders' rights to extend leases and purchase freeholds in England and Wales.
It proposes capping ground rents at £250 annually, reducing to a peppercorn after 40 years. Draft legislation published in January outlines its operation, with passage expected later this year.
Building Safety Remediation Bill - Aimed at further improving building safety in England following the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire, this bill will implement measures detailed in the government's policy plan.
Transport
Railways Bill - Labour's flagship initiative to nationalise railways under the Great British Railways entity, which will oversee passenger services, infrastructure, and operations, has commenced its legislative journey and is expected to be enacted within the year.
The bill will apply in England, Wales, and Scotland; however, as transport is devolved, the UK government must coordinate with Scottish and Welsh ministers on implementation.
High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill - Originating in January 2022 under the previous Conservative government, this bill authorizes construction of phase 2b of the HS2 high-speed rail link, connecting Crewe to Manchester with stops at Manchester Airport and Manchester Piccadilly.
Carried over from the prior session, it is likely to become law later this year.
Justice and Policing
Courts and Tribunals Bill - This legislation, carried over from the previous session, includes controversial proposals to abolish jury trials in certain cases in England and Wales to reduce court backlogs. It also aims to reform procedures in sexual offence prosecutions.
Policing Reform - In January, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced plans to reduce the number of police forces in England and Wales through mergers and to abolish police and crime commissioners. These roles would be replaced by mayoral authorities and crime and policing boards.
Terrorism - Following the Southport Attack in 2024, concerns have been raised about addressing extreme violence lacking a clear ideological motive. The government has acknowledged this gap and intends to address it through terrorism legislation.
Governance
'Hillsborough Law' Public Office (Accountability) Bill - This bill will impose a legal duty on public authorities to be truthful and cooperative in inquiries.
Already progressing through Parliament, the bill has faced criticism from campaigners regarding its application to intelligence officers.
The prime minister is expected to remove plans granting security services exemptions and may introduce amendments to address concerns.
The duty of candour and assistance in investigations will apply UK-wide, though certain provisions, including a new offence of "misleading the public," will be limited to England and Wales.
Representation of the People Bill - The government aims to complete this bill's passage, which will reduce the voting age to 16 for general elections, introduce automatic voter registration, and permit bank cards as identification at polling stations.
Companies making political donations will be required to demonstrate a genuine connection to the UK. The Electoral Commission will gain authority to impose fines up to £500,000 on parties violating political finance regulations.
Since the bill's introduction, the government has implemented a temporary ban on political donations via cryptocurrency, which Minister Steve Reed has indicated will remain until robust regulations prevent anonymous donations.
Reed also announced plans to cap donations from British citizens living abroad at £100,000 annually.
'Disgraced Peers' - The King's Speech will include legislation to revoke titles from disgraced members of the House of Lords following the Lord Mandelson scandal, according to The Observer.
Other Notable Items
Digital ID - After abandoning a mandatory scheme, new legislation will define the implementation of voluntary digital ID and facilitate access to public services.
Road Safety - The government launched multiple consultations earlier this year on road safety improvements, including establishing a minimum tuition period for learner drivers and mandatory eyesight tests for older drivers.
Armed Forces - Legislation will complete passage to raise the maximum recall age for armed forces reservists from 55 to 65. It will also establish a Defence Housing Service to enhance accommodation standards for serving personnel and grant new powers to counter drones threatening military sites.
Cyber Security - Originally announced in Labour's first King's Speech in July 2024, this delayed legislation aims to strengthen protections for critical infrastructure and supply chains.
Draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill - This bill would require employers with 250 or more staff to publish six key pay-gap metrics to address race and disability inequalities. Following a consultation concluding in March, draft legislation was published but is unlikely to become law in the next Parliamentary session.
Draft Conversion Practices Bill - Announced in Labour's first King's Speech in July 2024 but not yet published, this bill would ban practices intended to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity. Equalities Minister Olivia Bailey reiterated the government's commitment to ending conversion practices earlier this year.
Ticket Touting - Draft legislation proposes capping service fees charged by resale platforms to prevent hidden costs from undermining price limits. According to The Financial Times, it is unlikely to become law until the 2027/28 Parliamentary session. Major artists including Dua Lipa, Coldplay, and Radiohead support these proposals.
Bills Excluded from the King's Speech
Assisted Dying - Although MPs voted in favour of legalizing assisted dying in England and Wales in June last year, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill ran out of time and was defeated in the House of Lords after over 1,200 amendments were tabled.
The bill was not a government initiative, and no legislation on assisted dying will be included in the King's Speech.
Supporters hope another backbench MP will champion the cause in the next private members' bill ballot.
Chagos Islands - A bill to transfer sovereignty of the British territory to Mauritius, which was nearing completion, has been shelved due to opposition from US President Donald Trump.
The UK government intends to continue pursuing an agreement to secure the long-term future of the joint US-UK base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the Chagos Islands, but plans to include the legislation in the King's Speech have been dropped.
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