King’s Speech live: All the announcements as King Charles makes first King’s Speech
The State Opening began at 9:30am, and MPs will now have four days of debate.
King’s Speech live: All the announcements as King Charles makes first King’s Speech
Key Events
- King Charles is set to announce all the legislation ministers intend to pass in the coming year at the State Opening of Parliament. The State Opening begins at 9:30am, and the speech itself will start around 11:30 am.
Stronger Together
The King has pledged his Government would “promote the integrity of the Union and strengthen the social fabric” of the UK.
He also confirmed the attack on unions, stressing the Government commitment “to prevent strikes from undermining patient safety”.
Smoking gun
King Charles confirms plans set out by Rishi Sunak to effectively ban smoking and vaping in the younger generation.
It means children currently aged 14 or younger can never be sold cigarettes.
Gaza crisis
The King condemned the “barbaric acts of terrorism against the people of Israel”, and said his Government would keep "facilitating humanitarian support into Gaza and supporting the cause of peace and stability in the Middle East.” What he didn't mention, obviously, is that support for Gaza has been massively cut by the Government in real terms.
Tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime
The King said his Government would communities safe from crime, anti-social behaviour, terrorism and illegal migration”.
This means tougher sentences, as well as forcing people to attend hearings.
Again, no mention of the huge cuts to the justice department in England and Wales, with court dates being set for 2025.
Hot Air?
In his speech, the King said that the Government would introduce legislation that would “strengthen the United Kingdom’s energy security, and reduce reliance on volatile international energy markets and hostile foreign regimes”.
This will see the North Sea Transition Authority run a new process inviting applications for new production licenses in the North Sea.
Rishi Sunak has claimed this will help reduce people's bills, while his energy secretary Claire Coutinho has said it won't reduce people's bills.
Holocaust Memorial
The King announced a Holocaust Memorial Bill, which will see a memorial centre built next to parliament. However, given the widespread opposition to it, the view in Westminster is, it might not actually happen.
Elvis has left the building
That's it, the speech is over, the King is making his exit, and MPs will soon meet to discuss and debate the policies announced. I make that 21 bills in total, with not a single rabbit or surprise among them.
Any other business?
That's it for quite a wide-ranging King's Speech, here's a few of the other key policies.
Subject streaming giants to a new video-on-demand code drafted and enforced by Ofcom that will apply similar standards to those enforced on television.
Ban the creation of new leasehold houses in England and Wales to improve fairness in the housing market.
Ending no-fault evictions – but not until a new court process and stronger possession grounds for landlords are in place.
Pave the way for the introduction of self-driving cars and buses on UK roads by putting in place a legal framework centred on safety and user protection.
The Times They Are A-Changin'
The Prime Minister has put out a video responding to the speech, where he says the King's Speech would deliver change. The Tories have been in Government since 2010.
"Cheap gimmicks"
The Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey is not a fan of the speech, saying "all Rishi Sunak had to offer was cheap gimmicks and reheated policies".
He added: “There was nothing but empty words on the biggest issues facing the country, from the NHS crisis to the sewage scandal.
“There were no real solutions for patients left waiting months in pain for treatment, homeowners seeing their mortgages skyrocket or communities seeing their local rivers ruined by sewage.
“It shows the Conservative Government is out of touch, out of ideas and deserves to be kicked out of office.”
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