King Charles Unveils Bold Legislative Agenda for the Year
In a historic moment, King Charles delivered the UK's first King's Speech in 72 years, outlining the government's ambitious priorities for the year ahead. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's legislative plans, as presented by the King, promise to make "long-term decisions for a brighter future."
The King's Speech, likely the last before the upcoming general election, signifies a crucial opportunity for the Prime Minister to connect with voters. The King's references to "my government" and "my ministers" are in line with constitutional monarch tradition, though these policies are not his own.
The Prime Minister's focus, as emphasised by the King, centres on "increasing economic growth and safeguarding the health and security of the British people for generations to come."
Here are the 21 laws included in the King's speech:
1. Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill
The animal welfare bill will ban the live export of cattle, sheep, horses, goats and pigs for fattening and slaughter, ensuring they are slaughtered in the UK.
2. Arbitration Bill
This bill will update the current law to introduce new rules to allow more cases to be settled out of court.
3. Automated Vehicles Bill
The automated vehicles bill will set the legal framework for the introduction of self-driving cars and buses in the UK, making the company who produces the car responsible for the way it drives.
4. Criminal Justice Bill
Campaigners have received a victory as the criminal justice bill will mean that defendants will be “compelled” to appear in court for sentencing. This comes following instances in multiple high-profile cases, such as the case of killer nurse Lucy Letby, where defendants have refused to leave their cells. It also criminalises the sharing of intimate images and allows police to enter properties without a warrant to seize stolen goods.
5. Data Protection and Digital Information Bill
The data protection bill is set to update the UK data protection laws, replacing the current laws that were inherited from the European Union.
6. Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill
The digital markets bill is set to tackle the presence of fake reviews online and strengthen consumer rights online.
7. Economic Activities of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill
This bill will prevent public bodies from creating their own boycotts or sanctions against other countries.
8. Football Governance Bill
The football governance bill will introduce a new independent regulator for the top five tiers of football. It claims that teams in the top five divisions will be required to get a licence, and will require more interaction with fans.
9. Holocaust Memorial Bill
If passed, the Holocaust memorial bill will finally see the construction of a national Holocaust memorial in Victoria Tower Gardens near to the Houses of Parliament.
10. Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill
The bill will provide a legal framework for intelligence agencies to access certain personal information.
11. Leasehold and Freehold Bill
The leasehold and freehold bill will ban leaseholds for new houses (but not new flats) in England and Wales, and will increase the standard lease extension from 90 years to 990 years.
12. Media Bill
The media bill is being introduced to get rid of a previous law requiring media outlets to pay all legal costs in lawsuits, regardless of who won.
13. Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill
Licensing rounds will be held each year for North Sea oil and gas under the offshore petroleum licensing bill, giving licences for new exploration projects.
14. Pedicabs (London) Bill
Londoners will be happy to hear that the pedicabs bill is set to regulate the presence of the pedal-powered taxi cabs in the city, including introducing fare controls and licensing, as well as barring them from congested areas. This follows complaints about the extortionate fares they charge for short journeys, usually in tourist hotspots located in England's capital.
15. Rail Reform Bill (Draft)
Currently in draft form, the bill is set to attempt to improve the current rail system, including by altering ticket pricing, and by introducing a new overseeing body called the Great British Railways. However, as it is a draft, it is unlikely that we will see this any time soon.
16. Renters (Reform) Bill
The long awaited renters reform bill will finally put an end to “no-fault” evictions, and, in good news for pet lovers, the blanket ban on pets will be scrapped. This gives tenants the right to request a pet, which landlords are not allowed to “reasonably” refuse. However, documents have been revealed that state that this can’t happen until a new court process has been put into place.
17. Sentencing Bill
The sentencing bill is set to see courts being required to deliver whole life orders for cases where it is the current starting point such as the worst cases of murder. It will also see serious sex offenders and rapists serve every day of their sentence. However, the prison shortage will mean that we will likely see a lot of suspended sentences for those sentenced to under a year.
18. Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill
The terrorism bill will bring Martyn’s law into force, requiring venues and organisers of events that have more than 800 people in attendance to take steps to prevent terror attacks. This follows the 2017 attack on Manchester arena.
19. Tobacco and Vapes Bill
Having already made the news in recent months, the tobacco and vapes bill will prevent those born on or after the 1st January 2009 from ever legally buying cigarettes. The bill is also set to introduce measures to prevent the marketing of vapes to children.
20. Trade Bill
The trade bill will allow the UK to join an Indo-Pacific trade block, currently comprised of 11 nations in Asia and the Pacific
21. Victims and Prisoners Bill
The victims and prisoners bill will enact Jade’s law, which will prevent those convicted of killing their child’s other parent from having parental responsibility over their children. It will also ban serious offenders from marrying in prison, and give ministers move oversight on the release of more dangerous prisoners.
These legislative proposals, among others, are set to shape the coming year in the UK. The King's Speech, which marks the state opening of Parliament, is followed by debates and votes in both Houses, allowing for further scrutiny and discussion of the government's agenda.
