Eight key King's Speech points including digital ID introduction and cost of living help
King Charles delivered a speech as part of the state opening of Parliament on Wednesday, May 13
King Charles delivered a speech on Wednesday, May 13, as part of the state opening of Parliament.
The monarch's address comes at a moment of acute political peril for the Prime Minister, as Sir Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure to resign from within Labour ranks following a series of damaging local election losses.
Despite the uncertainty, Downing Street is moving forward with an ambitious legislative agenda designed to pivot from immediate manifesto pledges toward long-term structural reform.
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Policies on immigration, green energy and reforms to special educational needs and disabilities (Send) schooling made up part of the King’s Speech, which lays out the Government’s legislative priorities for the next Parliamentary session.
The speech, which was read by the King in the House of Lords before MPs and peers, also included new laws to make it easier to take action against state-backed groups such as the proscription of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Before the speech, as the King's carriage drove towards Parliament, anti-monarchy protesters held up signs asking “did you know?” – referring to the Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor scandal. Yellow placards had individual black letters that spelt out the question when held aloft at about 11.15am on Parliament Street, PA reported.
Organising group Republic is demanding the monarch be replaced by an elected head of state. Charles was being escorted from Buckingham Palace to Parliament by the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment ahead of the King’s Speech.
And about 30 metres away from the Republic protesters another group shouted “free Palestine” and “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” as the King passed in his carriage. They held up a sign saying: “Stop MPs taking pro-Israel lobbying money”. Next to it another sign on Parliament Street said: “Don’t let Farage + Reform divide the country”.
Eight key points from the King's Speech
Measures to support people with cost of living
Laying out the government's rationale, the King said: “My government believes that the United Kingdom’s economic security depends on raising living standards at every part of the United Kingdom.
"My ministers will support measures that maintain stability and control the cost of living. They will use public investment to shape markets and attract further private investment."
He added: "They will deploy the power of an active state in partnership with business and enable reforms that support higher growth and a fair deal for working people.”
Tackling anti-Semitism and ensuring all communities feel safe
Mentioning anti-Semitism and supporting people of all communities, the King said: "They will defend the British values of decency, tolerance and respect for difference under our common flag, and they will harness the potential of the pride felt across this country for its communities.
"My Government will take urgent action to tackle antisemitism and ensure all communities feel safe."
Strengthen ties with EU
The King told the House of Lords that improved trade relations are “vital”, and ministers will introduce legislation to take advantage of new opportunities. The King said his Government will introduce new legislation to “strengthen ties with the European Union”.
Addressing Parliament, Charles said: “My Government believes that improved trading relations are vital for the United Kingdom’s economic security, for significantly raising economic growth, and for lowering prices for working people.
“My Ministers will introduce legislation to take advantage of new trading opportunities, including a Bill to strengthen ties with the European Union. My Government will also support the economic security of British businesses.”
He said legislation will be introduced to tackle late payments and “to reduce the burden of unnecessary regulation through innovation”.
Northern Powerhouse Rail
While laying out plans for the UK's economic security, the King read that the Government will 'deliver a fair deal for the north of England through Northern Powerhouse Rail.
He said: "The United Kingdom’s economic security depends upon world class infrastructure. Legislation will be introduced to unlock the benefits of airport expansion, enable roads to be built at pace including the Lower Thames Crossing, and deliver a fair deal for the North of England through Northern Powerhouse Rail."
Police, NHS and criminal justice system reforms
The King spoke about the “renewal of public services”, referring to the police, NHS and the criminal justice system.
Ministers will put forward legislation to reform the police, the NHS and the criminal justice system, the King says, adding that new legislation will also “increase confidence in the security of the immigration and asylum systems”, clean up the water industry and establish Great British Railways.
Promoting peace
The King said he supports a two-state solution in Palestine and Israel in order to 'promote long term peace in the Middle East', and provide 'unflinching support' for Ukraine.
The government will continue its “unflinching support” for Ukraine and “promote long-term peace in the Middle East”, including a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine, he says.
Tackling climate change
King Charles said: "My Government will remain a leading advocate for tackling climate change and achieving a world free from poverty. The United Kingdom will also take action to reduce humanitarian need and conflict around the world."
Digital ID
The King also confirms that ministers will push ahead with the introduction of digital ID, to “modernise” how citizens interact with public services.