Everything you can expect in Labour’s first King’s Speech – from smoking ban to major change to English football
SIR KEIR Starmer plans to rebuild Britain by putting wealth creation and growth at the heart of the first Labour King’s Speech for 15 years.
The new Prime Minister vows to be laser-focused in creating well-paid jobs to raise living standards for Brits.
Thirty bills will be unveiled with a “pro-business and pro-worker” theme at its heart.
The government vow to kick-start growth by building 1.5million homes and rip-up planning rules to get more Brits on the housing ladder.
A consultation will be published that will help identify land that councils can build on to meet their housing targets.
Changes will also be made to the planning system so major infrastructure projects of national importance, particularly in the energy sector, can be built.
The Labour government also intends to bring back legislation to abolish section 21 “no fault” evictions and give tenants more rights over extortionate rent rises.
New powers will also be unveiled to smash people smuggling gangs to reduce the number of migrants crossing the Channel including counter-terror.
The King’s speech sets out the government’s legislative and policy proposals for the forthcoming parliamentary session.
Smoking
Rishi Sunak‘s plan to ban young people from ever being able to legally smoke are expected to make a comeback in tomorrow’s King’s Speech.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which was set aside when Parliament shut down for the general election, is likely to be reintroduced.
Labour had promised to implement this ban if they took power, and since the Bill is largely ready, government sources say it makes sense to include it now, although with some “tweaks”.
The proposed law would stop anyone born after 2009 from legally smoking by gradually raising the minimum age to buy cigarettes from the current age of 18.
Devolution
As part of the Government’s plans for a devolution overhaul, the King’s Speech is expected to feature legislation that will give new powers to local regions.
The Government wants to transfer more responsibilities out of Westminster to those with “skin in the game” and let them preside over local issues, including employment support, housing and transport.
Only around half of the people in England benefit from devolved powers but ministers will press for more local authorities to take on extra responsibilities.
Housing
Sir Keir will pledge a major shake up to housing, including new help for struggling first-time buyers and renters.
The King will say that the government will deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable home building in a generation.
Sir Keir has promised to build 1.5million homes over five years with the aim of getting more people on the property ladder.
Ministers have also pledged that new buyers will get first dibs on properties in new developments before they are sold to overseas investors.
What is a King's Speech?
THE King’s Speech is a regal tradition stretching back as far as the 1500s.
His Majesty’s address to the House of Lords sets out the agenda for the forthcoming session of Parliament.
What is a King’s Speech?
The King’s Speech is part of the State Opening of Parliament which marks a new session of both the House of Commons and Lords.
The whole event is marked with the usual British sense of pomp and ceremony.
The speech traditionally sets out the objectives of the Government in the new session and outlines the main policies it will be pursuing.
Events get underway with a carriage procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster.
The carriage is escorted by the Household Cavalry.
The King arrives at Sovereign’s Entrance and proceeds to the Robing Room.
Wearing the Imperial State Crown and the Robe of State, he leads the Royal Procession through the Royal Gallery to the chamber of the House of Lords.
The King’s Speech is delivered by the King from the throne in the House of Lords.
Although the King reads the Speech, it is written by the Government.
The tradition of the State Opening of Parliament and the delivery of the speech can be traced back to the 16th century.
The House of Lords official “Black Rod” is sent to summon the Members of the House of Commons.
The doors to the Commons chamber are symbolically shut in his or her face – symbolising the independence from the monarchy.
Black Rod then strikes the door three times before it is opened.
MPs then follow Black Rod to the Lords where they stand at the “Bar” to listen to the speech.
When the King has delivered his speech and left the House a new parliamentary session starts.
Both of these policies should ease some pressure on the stretched housing market and encourage more first-time buyers to get onto the ladder.
Another promise during the speech will be the creation of a permanent mortgage guarantee scheme, which will see the Government act as a guarantor for people unable to save for large house deposits.
For renters, the King is expected to pledge a ban on hated section 21 “no-fault” evictions.
There should also be an end to fixed-term tenancy contracts, giving renters the freedom to leave a property when it suits them rather than the landlord.
Transport
The speech is set to introduce legislation to make good on Labour’s promise to renationalise most passenger rail services within five years.
The plan includes setting up Great British Railways, a new public body that will take over existing contracts as they expire and assume responsibility for running services.
Labour had also promised automatic refunds for train delays and improved internet connectivity on trains during the election campaign.
Immigration
Efforts to crack down on illegal immigration will be at the heart of the King’s Speech.
Chiefly this will involve putting Labour’s proposed Border Security Command on a “statutory footing” and granting its officers counter-terror powers to target smuggling gangs.
This will allow them to go above and beyond normal policing in order to disrupt the people trafficking operations.
Previously promised measures to curb legal migration – such as banning companies who violate employment law to hire from overseas – are expected to be shelved.
This is because one of the last acts of the Tory government was a package of controls that put migration on course to return to around 300,000.
Crime
A crime blitz was promised by Labour in the election and will feature heavily in their first term.
The King’s Speech will include legislation to make spiking a specific offence, so police can better respond to the vile behaviour.
It will also outlaw deadly blades like ninja swords which can easily be bought online – and have been used in several recent murders.
It will also feature a Martyn’s Law forcing premises like bars to have preparations in place for the eventuality of a terror attack.
Football
Labour will take control of the biggest shake-up in football for decades after the Tories failed to get it done before the election.
Sir Keir is expected to make few changes to what was already planned – namely an independent regulator to oversee the game.
The watchdog will impose a levy on Premier League clubs to pay smaller lower-league clubs, as well as impose checks on potentially dodgy owners.
It will also ban clubs from joining breakaways like the doomed European Super League, and stop owners wrecking team heritage by changing the kit and logos.
Economy
Labour promised a huge benefits shake-up to get millions of Brits back to work, including reforming Universal Credit.
Sir Keir launched his Party’s manifesto for the General Election with benefits reform a key part of his pledges to voters.
As part of this manifesto launch, the party chief committed to reviewing Universal Credit “so that it makes work pay and tackles poverty”.
However, the document does not give specific details on what exactly will change.
Starmer also pledged to “end mass dependence” on emergency food parcels, which he says is a “moral scar on our society”.
The manifesto states Labour will develop an “ambitious strategy” to reduce child poverty.
Under new plans, Labour would work with local authorities to get more disabled and sick people back into employment.
