King’s Speech – King Charles’s speech outlines the UK government’s expected legislative agenda, touching economy, health, policing, housing and education.
King Charles is set to deliver the King’s Speech to Parliament on Wednesday, a moment that will lay out the government’s legislative priorities for the coming session and offer a political test for Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The address comes amid turbulence for the Labour government. with Starmer facing heightened pressure as he fights for his leadership amid resignations and renewed demands for a clear timetable to choose a new leader of the Labour Party.. The government has said the speech is expected to unveil more than 35 bills and draft bills. spanning areas from the economy and public services to policing. courts. and animal welfare.
## Economy: from industrial rescue to City reform
Among the most closely watched proposals is planned legislation tied to British Steel.. The government is expected to introduce measures to enable the nationalisation of Chinese-owned British Steel. with any action subject to a public-interest test.. The timing follows last year’s emergency powers put in place to prevent the company’s closure. but officials have not clarified what nationalisation could ultimately cost.
Local government is also likely to feature, with legislation expected to allow mayors and councils to introduce a tourist tax for overnight stays. The rationale, as laid out by the Secretary of State for local government Steve Reed, is that the move would “unlock growth through investment.”
The speech is expected to reinforce the government’s direction toward closer alignment with the European Union.. Starmer signalled in a speech on Monday that a closer relationship with Europe is central to the “Labour choice. ” and ministers have said new laws would be aimed at improving trade. expanding opportunities for young people. and easing the cost-of-living pressures.
Financial services reforms may also take centre stage.. A Financial Services Bill is expected to set out changes affecting major regulators. alongside a package of City of London reforms.. In parallel. the government is expected to bring forward a Late Payments Bill after previously consulting on the issue; the Department for Business and Trade said mandatory interest on late payments would be introduced.. The government has also noted that late payments to suppliers are estimated to cost the UK economy £11bn each year.
Economic policy infrastructure could be expanded through a National Wealth Fund Bill, building on the fund established to replace the UK Infrastructure Bank in October. Additional legislation could outline further steps for how that fund is intended to operate.
Procurement is another area set for action: the Public Procurement (British Goods and Services) Bill, introduced in 2024, is expected to push public sector purchasing toward UK suppliers and introduce mandatory reporting on the share of British food supplied to the public sector.
## Technology and cybersecurity
The government is also expected to address digital identity in a more limited form than originally proposed. While it previously reversed plans for a mandatory system, a voluntary version of digital ID is expected to be introduced.
Cybersecurity remains a key theme. Building on legislation first signalled in the 2024 King’s Speech, the proposed measures aim to strengthen the security of essential and digital services against cyber criminals.
## Health policy: structural changes and delivery of a 10-year plan
Health legislation in the King’s Speech is expected to include steps required to abolish NHS England, a change announced last year by Health Secretary Wes Streeting. The proposals would also be intended to implement commitments contained in the government’s 10-year health plan.
## Energy and water: new regulation and an “independence” framework
Water regulation is likely to move in a major direction. The government said last year that Ofwat would be replaced by a new single regulator designed to cut water pollution in England’s rivers, lakes and seas while protecting families from large bill increases.
On energy, ministers are expected to bring forward an Energy Independence Act.. The government is set to frame the measure as a way to establish a framework for Labour’s energy and climate policies. including more capacity to respond to the affordability crisis and accelerate the delivery of clean energy technologies.. Officials have also linked the bill to the goal of energy independence from dictators such as Putin.
## Housing and local government: leasehold reform and safety remediation
Housing policy appears poised for significant reform. A Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill—supported by a draft version already published—is expected to make it easier for residents to extend their leases and buy their freeholds. It would also cap ground rents at £250 a year.
The King’s Speech is also expected to include a Building Safety Remediation Bill aimed at strengthening building safety standards and accelerating remediation of residential buildings in England with unsafe cladding. The focus links back to the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017.
Local government scrutiny is another line item. The government has tabled amendments to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to strengthen scrutiny of mayors.
## Policing, immigration, and courts
Home affairs proposals are set to include policing reform. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood previously said she would reduce the number of police forces in England and Wales and pledged to abolish Police and Crime Commissioners.
Immigration policy may also be addressed. The government has said it wants to narrow how Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights is used. Article 8 covers the right to respect for family and private life, and ministers argue it is being used too often as a basis to block removals.
A Courts and Tribunals Bill is expected to be carried over from the previous parliamentary session. The proposal is controversial and would abolish jury trials in some cases.
On counterterrorism, the speech is expected to connect to findings from the Prevent learning review linked to the Southport attack, which identified a gap in understanding radicalisation indicators where a specific ideology does not appear to be present.
## Animal welfare and market reform for vets
Animal welfare reforms are also on the agenda. Ministers are expected to set out reforms to vet costs after the Competition and Markets Authority found problems in the veterinary market that could be costing households up to £1bn over five years.
The government is also expected to pursue wider animal welfare measures announced in December, including ending puppy farming and improving conditions for farm animals.
## Transport: rail nationalisation under “Great British Railways”
Transport legislation is likely to include a Railways Bill that would nationalise railways in England, Wales and Scotland under the banner of “Great British Railways.”
High Speed Rail proposals are expected to be repurposed as well. The High Speed Rail (Crewe–Manchester) Bill, first introduced under the Conservatives, is being reframed for Northern Powerhouse Rail, a plan intended to improve connectivity across the north of England.
Road safety could also be addressed after the government publishes its new road safety strategy, with measures that may include mandatory eye tests for older drivers.
## Other legislation: accountability, voting age, peers, and conversion therapy
Several bills outside traditional policy silos are also expected to appear.. The Public Office (Accountability) Bill—also known as “The Hillsborough Law”—is making its way through Parliament.. As first reported. the government is expected to scrap an expectation that the duty of candour will not extend to the intelligence services.
The government is also expected to look to finalise a Representation of the People Bill designed to lower the voting age to 16 for general elections, a key Labour pledge made in 2024.
Peerage legislation is likely to be part of the agenda after further revelations involving Peter Mandelson’s relationship with financier Jeffrey Epstein. The government has said it would draft legislation to remove disgraced peers.
Conversion therapy could face a major legal change. Ministers have said they will bring forward legislation for a full trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices, building on the Conversion Practices Bill announced in the 2024 King’s Speech.
## Education: continuing reforms for schools and SEND
Education proposals are expected to cover reforms already published to transform the school system. The government has also previously set out reforms to the special educational needs and disabilities system, but remains in consultation on those proposals.
With more than 35 bills expected to be unveiled. the King’s Speech will set the tone for what the government intends to prioritise before the session ends—while Starmer’s political standing remains under intense scrutiny.. Whether the agenda can be matched by momentum in Parliament may determine how quickly these plans move from ceremony to policy reality.
King’s Speech Parliamentary session UK government bills economy policy NHS reform policing reform