What to expect from the King’s speech as Labour set to unveil 35 new bills

It is the new government's chance to outline its proposed policies and legislation.

After Labour won the General Election on July 4 a new era in parliament begins on Wednesday as the King’s Speech is unveiled.

While the King’s Speech will be read out by the monarch King Charles, it is actually written by the government.

It is the new government’s chance to outline its proposed policies and legislation for the new parliamentary season.

There’s always a bit of pomp and pageantry to the affair as the House of Commons, House of Lords and monarch are all brought together.

We take a look below about everything to do with this year’s King’s Speech:

What is the King’s Speech?

While a parliament can last up to five years between different general elections, the King’s Speech is delivered at the start of a parliamentary session annually.

Charles delivered his first King’s Speech last year on November 7 2023 for Rishi Sunak’s government.

But with a new party in charge he now has another one to read out as Labour get down to business in government.

While it will outline all the bills planned, some of these might not become law and bills can also be passed by government later that weren’t included in the speech.

Therefore there is nothing legally binding in the speech, think of it as a giant press release for the government in charge.

When is the King’s Speech?

Charles is due to arrive at the Houses of Parliament at the Sovereign’s Entrance at 11.20am on Wednesday July 17.

He will then go and put on his Imperial State Crown and ceremonial robes at the robing room.

He will take his seat on the throne in the House of Lords and read the speech at 11.30am.

There is no set time for the speech but last year’s one was the longest since 2005, clocking in at 11 minutes and 30 seconds.

Once the speech finishes, MPs have the opportunity to debate it afterwards and this gives the opportunity for the opposition and other parties to scruitinise it.

These debates can last several days and a vote is eventually cast which is largely symbolic because no government has lost it in 100 years.

What are Labour’s 35 bills?

The new government is expected to announce 35 bills in the King’s Speech, Downing Street confirmed.

Some of the big items on the agenda expected to be outlined include the government’s plans for the establishment of Great British Energy, nationalise the railways, planning reform to help build more homes, more NHS appointments, and an employment rights bill.

Another is a new bill to enforce tough spending rules to generate growth.

Labour also want a ban on no fault evictions and a ban on young people smoking – two bills previously proposed by the Tories.

Is the King’s Speech on TV?

Yes. The state opening of parliament will be televised on BBC One from 10.30am until 12.30pm and will be presented by Reeta Chakrabarti.

It will also be shown live on Parliament TV and also on the House of Lords X feed.

News of the King’s speech will also dominate the news channels into lunchtime and the evening, so if you’ve missed anything important you can catch up.

What was in the 2023 speech?

During the last King’s Speech under Rishi Sunak’s government, Charles announced that there would be tougher sentences for ‘serious offenders’.

It included plans to tackle ‘digitally-enabled crime’ as well as plans to give the police increased powers.

Plans were outlined in the speech about a further 24 months in prison for criminals who refuse to turn up to their sentencing hearings.

At the time Charles also said the then PM Rishi Sunak was focused on ‘increasing economic growth and safeguarding the health and security of the British people for generations to come’.

He also said the government would ‘continue to take action to bring down inflation’ and support the Bank of England in that goal by taking ‘responsible decisions on spending and borrowing’.

Charles also said the government would support ‘the future licensing of new oil and gas fields’ and ‘strengthen the United Kingdom’s energy security and reduce reliance on volatile international energy markets and hostile foreign regimes’.

But plans highlighted like banning cigarettes for those under 14 did not come to fruition.

Anti-monarchy group Republic protested about the speech last year and it is expected to do so again this year.

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