The King’s Speech, written in Number 10, is a list of the major items of legislation that the new Labour Government hopes to introduce during its first year in power.

One or two of the proposals are carried over from the Conservatives’ unfinished legislative programme — e.g. the smoking ban, introduction of a football regulator and enactment of Martyn's Law.

Below, we give brief details of these and the more than 30 other Bills which are expected to be occupying Parliament for the next 12 months.

It is worth noting that not all of those will make it through the process and there may well be other legislation introduced in the next few months that is not included in the list below.

Artificial intelligence

Legislation will place requirements on those working to develop the most powerful artificial intelligence (AI) models.

Crime and security

The Government will introduce enhanced counter-terror powers and give more powers to police to prevent anti-social behaviour. The Speech mentioned a plan to halve violence against women and girls and measures to improve the safety and security of public venues (Martyn’s Law).

Devolution

The introduction of the English Devolution Bill, the King said, will give new powers to metro mayors and combined authorities to help support local growth plans.

Duty of candour

This will be introduced for public servants and follows the problems that were encountered when dealing with the aftermath of the Hillsborough tragedy.

Education

To raise standards, a new body, Skills England, will bring together government, businesses, unions and training providers in a partnership “with employers at its heart”. As widely predicted, VAT will be introduced on private school fees and the money raised will provide for the recruitment of 6500 new teachers.

Employment

A Bill to boost workers’ rights, referred to as a “new deal for working people”, was confirmed. Measures are set to include a ban on zero-hours contracts, giving workers’ rights immediately on starting a job and a crackdown on the practice of fire and re-hire. Draft legislation on race equality will be published, which will “enshrine the full right of equal pay in law”. The Apprenticeship Levy will be reformed.

Energy

A Bill will be introduced to set up a new publicly-owned power company, Great British Energy, based in Scotland, which will help accelerate investment in renewable energy.

Environment

To ensure cleaner water, new legislation will strengthen the powers of the water regulator. The Government will support sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production.

Health and mental health

The Speech mentioned a plan to modernise the Mental Health Act 1983 in order to give mental health the same focus as physical health. The Government will ban conversion practices and it will progressively increase the age at which people can buy cigarettes while imposing limits on the sale and marketing of vapes.

Legislation will be introduced to restrict advertising of junk food to children and the sale to them of high caffeine energy drinks will also be restricted.

Housing and planning

The Government plans to “get Britain building” and to accelerate the delivery of high-quality infrastructure and housing. It plans to restore mandatory housebuilding targets for local authorities, as part of the drive to build 1.5 million homes over five years. This would mean allowing building on some land currently designated as green belt.

Draft legislation will be published on leasehold and commonhold reform and the Government will end no-fault evictions.

Illegal migration

The Government plans to modernise the asylum and immigration system and to establish a new Border Security Command.

Parliament

The Speech included references to modernising the constitution and to removing the right of hereditary peers to sit and vote in the Lords. The Government will also propose a modernisation committee of the House of Commons which would work towards driving up standards and improving work practices and procedures.

Sport

The Government has plans to establish an independent football regulator in order to ensure greater sustainability in the game and strengthen protections for fans.

Trade

The new Government will seek to reset the relationship with European partners and work to improve the UK's trade and investment relationship with the European Union.

Transport

Local leaders will be able to take control of buses, including routes and fares, the Speech made clear. Legislation will be introduced to improve the railways by reforming rail franchising, establishing Great British Railways and bringing train operators into public ownership.

Further information

The full text of the King’s Speech can be found on the GOV.UK website.

In it, he said that the fundamental mission of the Government will be to secure economic growth.

“My Government will seek a new partnership with both business and working people and help the country move on from the recent cost-of-living challenges by prioritising wealth creation for all communities,” the King said.

Please do get in touch if you have any questions about any of the above