In the Labour government’s first King’s Speech, Chancellor Sir Keir Starmer announced a series of sweeping reforms to cut planning red tape, reform the economy and restore trust in politics.
The prime minister vowed to “strengthen the foundations of this country for the long term” with a programme of 40 bills.
Sir Keir said that while change would not happen overnight, his plans would “unleash growth and take the brakes off the UK”.
After a divisive election campaign, Sir Keir said the “battle for trust is the battle that will define our political era”, and only by delivering real change can “we begin to restore people’s faith that politics can be a force for good”.
Introducing the government’s plan, he said: “Rebuilding our country will not be achieved overnight. The challenges we face require determined and patient effort and serious solutions, not the temptation to seek easy answers.”
“The dubious magic of populism may sound appealing, but it will only lead us down a dead end of further division and greater disappointment.”
The King’s speech, delivered with traditional pomp in the House of Lords, included many of the policies advocated in the Labour manifesto.
Prince Charles told the assembled peers and MPs that the Government’s plans were “based on the principles of security, fairness and opportunity for all”, adding that ministers would “Get Britain Built”.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill will reform the system to meet the target of building 1.5 million more homes this parliamentary period, deciding “how to build homes, not whether to build them”.
And landowners forced to sell land to make way for new developments would be paid a “fair but not excessive” price where critical infrastructure or social housing is being built.
It is one of 15 bills or draft bills under the broad heading of “economic stability and growth”, a key focus of Starmer’s government’s first term.
Today’s King’s Speech sets out how we will make a difference in this country.
Serving working people and creating wealth in every community.
The rebirth of the nation begins now. pic.twitter.com/SznttCF8Cu
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 17, 2024
Other measures included in the program include:
– The creation of a national energy producer, Great British Energy, with £8.3 billion of public funding across Parliament.
– Creating a £7.3 billion sovereign wealth fund to invest in schemes that generate economic growth and clean energy.
– A new package of workers’ rights, banning “exploitative” zero-hours contracts and granting rights to flexible working, parental leave, sick pay and protection from unfair dismissal from day one.
– Laws imposing “extraordinary measures” on water companies to clean up rivers, lakes and oceans, subjecting managers to personal criminal liability for illegal activities and giving strengthened regulators the power to block bonus payments if environmental standards are not met.
– A bill to create a new border force and impose tougher penalties on migrant smuggling rings as part of an effort to curb crossings across the English Channel.
– Measures to end no-fault evictions and give more protections to people who rent their homes.
– Plans to end the existence of “outdated and indefensible” hereditary peers in the House of Lords.
– Confirmation of plans to impose a VAT on private school tuition fees to fund new teachers in public classrooms.
Setting out the plan’s main objective, Chancellor Sir Keir said: “We will reform planning rules to build the homes and infrastructure the country desperately needs.”
“We will improve workers’ rights so everyone has safety, respect and dignity in the workplace; deliver a new industrial strategy and invest in cleaner, cheaper British energy; and harness the power of artificial intelligence to strengthen the safety framework.”
Despite the Government’s focus on fast-tracking planning decisions on major infrastructure and housing schemes, the Prime Minister has promised to “take power out of Westminster”.
Local leaders would be given the power to manage bus services, and trains would be publicly owned.
The King’s Speech also confirmed the return of measures first introduced under the Conservative government, including plans to phase out smoking and the creation of an independent football regulator.
Sir Keir said: “This is an agenda totally focused on delivering security, opportunity, prosperity and justice for everyone across the country.”
“We will unleash growth, release the brakes on Britain and move permanently away from the economic irresponsibility and widespread inability to face the future that we have seen under the Conservative government.”
“This King’s Speech returns politics to serious government, government to service, and service to the interests of working people.”
