King Charles has unveiled the government's legislative agenda for the next year in a king's speech that puts long-promised changes to education, health and the courts at the centre of Keir Starmer's programme. The embattled prime minister hopes the measures will prove to Labour MPs and voters that he can enact the scale of change demanded.
Key Bills in the Speech
The speech included bills to abolish NHS England, overhaul special educational needs teaching, limit jury trials, introduce digital ID, and end the leasehold system in England and Wales. Additionally, measures to tighten migrants' settled status were announced, which may spark backlash from Labour MPs.
Economic and Housing Reforms
Starmer promised two major housing changes: a bill to restrict council house purchases and another to end leasehold, including a ban on new flats sold as leasehold, though the ban will not take effect until after the next election. The speech also included measures to boost economic growth, such as adopting EU regulations and forcing regulators to consider growth.
Public Service Overhauls
Health Secretary Wes Streeting will legislate to abolish NHS England, while Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson will reform special educational needs provision, reducing eligibility for education, health and care plans but giving schools more responsibility. The government also plans to introduce a non-mandatory digital ID for immigration checks when starting a new job.
In his written introduction, Starmer said the country has been buffeted by crises for two decades, and this time must be different, with a plan to make the country stronger and fairer. He urged Labour MPs to avoid grievance and division and focus on delivering change.
