Big Ben with a UK flag in the foreground

King’s Speech confirms government direction

This morning saw the King delivering his speech at the State Opening of Parliament, during which he confirmed the new government’s direction.

As reported this week by Public Sector Executive, the speech did deliver the message of economic growth, however a plethora of other announcements were made – reinforcing the commitments that the Labour Party made during the General Election campaign.

Conforming to a running theme of this government so far, further devolution powers and control for local leaders was reinforced, with this bringing the announcement of the English Devolution Bill. This will ensure that metro mayors and combined authorities will be given additional powers to drive economic growth and benefit for their communities. Alongside the English Devolution Bill, local leaders will benefit from the new Better Buses Bill, which will allow them to take control of their local bus services.

The devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will also benefit from additional collaboration with the government, ensuring that improved outcomes can be delivered for communities. This will be done through the establishment of the Council of the Nations and Regions, bringing devolved government leaders and combined authority mayors together in collaboration. The King also confirmed that measures are to be introduced to begin repealing and replacing the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

Elsewhere in transport, rail franchising is to see reform. Thanks to the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill and the Rail Reform Bill, eight train operators are to be brought into public ownership under the banner of Great British Railways.

The establishment of Great British Energy has already been discussed since the new government was formed by Sir Keir Starmer, however the King’s Speech brought confirmation of this, as well as news of further legislation that will improve water quality and give additional power to the water regulator.

Regarding education, the employment of 6,500 new teachers will be funded by the removal of the exemption of VAT on private school fees, whilst Skills England is to be established and the apprenticeship levy reformed. As reported by Public Sector Executive last week, barriers to opportunity are also to be overcome as the government takes action to get people back into work.

Across the NHS, the government is to begin working to reduce waiting times, sharpen the focus on prevention, and improve provision of mental health support for young people. Through the Mental Health Bill, care will be reformed to ensure that it is fit for the 21st century, whilst making sure that mental health is given the same attention as physical health. The previous government’s plans to continually increase the age at which people can buy cigarettes is to remain, alongside limits on the sale and marketing of vapes.

Government practices and standards are also to be driven up by this government, as the modernisation committee is proposed for the House of Commons and House of Lords reform is introduced. This reform will see the government push to remove the right for hereditary peers to sit and vote in the House of Lords.

Eight years on from the EU referendum, and four and a half years on from when the UK left the European Union, the government is now also going to work to reset the nation’s relationship with the EU, improving trade and investment. This will be accompanied by a new security pact that the government hopes will strengthen cooperation between the UK and the EU on the ‘mutual threats’ that the two face.

 

Image credit: iStock

Video credit: UK Parliament

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