King’s Speech 2024 LIVE: King’s Speech will ‘take brakes off Britain’ with borders & renters change expected

God Save the King plays

The National Anthem is being played as King Charles returns to Buckingham Palace.

Farage all smiles

Newly elected Reform MP Nigel Farage looks pleased as he leaves the chamber behind Labour's Lisa Nandy.

Charles leaves Parliament

The monarch is now on his way back to Buckingham Palace.

Boost for renters

By Noa Hoffman, Political Correspondent

HATED "no fault evictions" will finally be banned in England, the government confirmed today.   

In a win for England's 11 million private tenants, landlords will no longer be allowed to kick them out without a reason.

And tenants will be given more empowerment to challenge ridiculous rent increases used to force them out by the backdoor.

Landlords will be prohibited from unreasonably refusing pet requests and forced to abide by a new Decent Homes Standard.

In the social and private rental sector Awaab's Law will set legal expectations about the time frames within which landlords have to repair hazards such as mould and damp.

It will also become illegal for landlords to discriminate against tenants on benefits or with kids when picking who lets their property.

Crime blitz

By Jack Elsom, Chief Political Correspondent 

YOBS will be targeted in a crime blitz unveiled in Sir Keir Starmer’s first King’s Speech.

The PM - and former top prosecutor - says he will hire more community support cops to walk the streets.

New “Respect Orders” will be introduced to tackle repeat antisocial offenders, as will a new specific offence for shoplifting thugs who attack retail workers.

Spiking will be made a specific offence so police can better respond to the vile behaviour.

And dangerous blades such as ninja swords - which can easily be bought online - will be outlawed.

Unions bill

BY Harry Cole, Political Editor

ALWAYS check for the small print...

The cuddly sounding Employment Rights Bill might sound like good news for workers, but that all depends on what sort of work you're trying to do.

The proposed new law will tear up a decade and half of union reforms designed to protect commuters, holidaymakers and parents from militants calling strikes at at the drop of a hat.

The Labour Government say these are "unnecessary restrictions on trade union activity".

But critics will be quick to point out those restrictions were there to protect all workers from having their journeys to work ruin and having to stay home for days on end because their kids schools are closed.

We all remember how a tiny minority can bring chaos to airports too.
Labour argue their close relationship with the unions - who are major bankrollers of the party - mean they will be able to negotiate from a stronger position and avoid strikes.

If you believe that, I have a bridge to sell you...

Minimum service requirements during strike days are standard procedure in many European countries, but it appears Labour's pledge to unpick this is another major sop to their backers.

The Tories also legislated to clamp down on so-called Facilities Times - where trade union officials working in the public sector are paid by the taxpayer not to do their day job for state, but organise and run their union branches.

Those laws look set for the bonfire as well, meaning this backdoor funding for the unions from the public purse will likely expand.

The union barons will be popping champagne corks at this new law... Strivers trying to get to work... less so.

Changes for children

By Noa Hoffman, Political Correspondent

A new Children’s Wellbeing Bill has been proposed to “remove barriers to opportunity” for kids and their families.

The proposed law includes requiring free breakfast clubs in every primary school and limiting the number of branded uniform and PE kits pupils are required to wear.   

There would be a new duty on town halls to maintain Children Not in School registers and provide support to home-schooling parents.

Ofsted would be given more power to investigate safeguarding concerns in schools regardless of when incidents occurred. 

Keir and Rishi share a laugh

The bitterly-fought election seems a lifetime ago - with Keir and Rishi laughing over a joke as they leave the chamber.

Charles leaves the chamber

The monarch has finished his speech and will now head back to Buckingham Palace.

Relief for leaseholders

By Noa Hoffman, Political Correspondent

TODAY’S King's Speech also provided much-needed relief for desperate leaseholders, currently trapped by cowboy freeholders charging extortionate ground rents.

A proposed Bill would bolster rights for homeowners to extend leases and buy their freehold.

And ground rents would be regulated to put an end to disgraceful and sudden annual charge hikes.

However the exact forms of ground rent regulation would take, whether a price cap or reduction to peppercorn rates, is yet to be decided.

Ministers have also pledged to slowly end England’s feudal housing system by restricting the sale of new leasehold flats.

A system of commonhold ownership would take its place. 

Hereditary peers axed

By Noa Hoffman, Political Correspondent

HEREDITARY peers are set to be banned from the House of Lords, the King’s speech confirmed today.

The government described peers given their parliamentary seat by right of birth as “outdated and indefensible”.

There are currently 100 places reserved for individuals born into certain families.

Under a proposed new Bill, all of them would be scrapped, meaning no hereditary peers would be allowed to sit or vote in the Lords.

Conversion therapy ban

By Noa Hoffman, Political Correspondent

A new Bill in the next year will put an end to the abusive practice of LGBT+ conversion therapy.

It will become a criminal act for any religious leader or other practitioner to try and force someone to deny or not embrace their sexuality.

The ban will cover conversion therapies on gay, lesbian bisexual and more controversially, trans people.

Addressing concerns around the trans element, ministers insist the Bill won’t impact the provision of medical care.

And it won’t cover legitimate psychological support, treatment or counselling to people struggling with questions of gender identity.  

Government documents state: “We are clear that any ban must not cover legitimate psychological support, treatment, or non-directive counselling.

“It must also respect the important role that teachers, religious leaders, parents and carers can have in supporting those exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity.”

Smoking bill

By Martina Bet, Political Correspondent

A MAJOR crackdown on smokers and vapers is set to be revived by the new Government, alongside a ban on energy drink sales.

Rishi Sunak’s plan to ban young people from ever being able to legally smoke made a comeback in today’s King’s Speech.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill was set aside when Parliament shut down for the general election but Sir Keir Starmer decided to reintroduce it. 

The Bill aims to stop anyone born on or after January 2009 from ever buying cigarettes, creating a smoke-free generation.

It also targets vape marketing, banning child-friendly flavours and flashy packaging to keep kids from getting hooked.

King Charles said: “A Bill will be introduced to progressively increase the age at which people can buy cigarettes and impose limits on the sale and marketing of vapes.

"My Ministers will also legislate to restrict advertising of junk food to children along with the sale of high caffeine energy drinks to children." 

Footie shake-up

By JACK ELSOM, Chief Political Correspondent

FOOTBALL fans will be protected from dodgy owners who risk wrecking their club’s finances and heritage, Sir Keir Starmer has promised.

A new regulator will be established to oversee the beautiful game - and if needed swipe cash from the Premier League and distribute it to struggling lower teams. 

And it would ban clubs from joining breakaway tournaments like the ill-fated European Super League. 

Today’s King’s Speech revives the Football Governance Bill that was first proposed by Rishi Sunak but failed to clear Parliament before the election.

The blueprint to stop more clubs going bust received cross-party support and so has been brought back under a Labour government virtually unchanged.

King Charles confirmed today: “A Bill will be introduced to establish an independent football regulator to ensure greater sustainability in the game and strengthen protections for fans.”

Border crackdown

By JACK ELSOM, Chief Political Correspondent 

IMMIGRATION cops will be given counterterror-style powers to target small boat smuggling gangs. 

New laws unveiled in today’s King’s Speech will enshrine Labour’s promised Border Security Command taskforce to go after the Channel people smugglers.

Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure to make good on one of his flagship election pledges to curb the number of daily crossings that are running at record rates.

Making it an urgent priority - with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper already admitting it will be a “difficult summer” - the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill was today revealed.

King Charles said: “My Government will seek to strengthen the border and make streets safer. 

“A Bill will be introduced to modernise the asylum and immigration system, establishing a new Border Security Command and delivering enhanced counter terror powers to tackle organised immigration crime.” 

Transport plans

By MARTINA BET, Political Correspondent

RAIL and bus services will be brought back into public ownership as the new Government launches its ambitious plan to revolutionise travel and save the taxpayer “millions”.

The King’s Speech unveiled four key pieces of transport legislation -  all centred on a promise to prioritise passengers and boost the economy.

They will bring rail and bus services back into public hands and establish a new-arms length body, Great British Railways, which will unify track and train operations. 

GBR will also roll out digital ticketing and automatic compensation across the network. 

Another Bill will use the plans from the second phase of HS2, which was scrapped by Rishi Sunak, to improve train services in northern England.

Reading the speech, the King said: “A Bill will be introduced to allow local leaders to take control of their local bus services.

“My Ministers will bring forward legislation to improve the railways by reforming rail franchising, establishing Great British Railways and bringing train operators into public ownership."

English devolution

Charles says: "My Government believes that greater devolution of decision making is at the heart of a modern dynamic economy and is a key driver of economic growth.

"My Ministers will introduce an English Devolution Bill. Legislation will be introduced to give new powers to metro mayors and combined authorities.

"This will support local growth plans that bring economic benefit to communities."

Unleashing growth

Charles says: "My Ministers will establish an Industrial Strategy Council.

"It is my Government's objective to see rising living standards in all nations and regions in the United Kingdom."

Economy plans

Charles says: "Stability will be the cornerstone of my Government's economic policy and every decision will be consistent with its fiscal rules.

"It will legislate to ensure that all significant tax and spending changes are subject to an independent assessment by the Office for Budget Responsibility."

Starmer: 'National renewal starts now'

Keir Starmer has just tweeted: "Today's King's Speech sets out how we are delivering change for our country.

"Serving working people. Creating wealth in every community. National renewal starts now."

The royals arrive

King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived at Parliament.

The Lords await

Members of the House of Lords wait dressed in their ceremonial red robes for the start of the State Opening of Parliament

Happy birthday Camilla!

The Queen is all smiles as she turns 77 today.

Charles salutes royal fans

The King is en route to Parliament.

The Crown is carried into Parliament

The Imperial State Crown is being carried into the House of Lords