HIS MAJESTY King Charles has outlined the government’s priorities for the year ahead, in his first King’s Speech as monarch.
The speech outlined 21 laws ministers intend to pass in the next year-long session of Parliament. It’s likely to be the last King’s Speech before the General Election, which is expected next Autumn.
Here’s a summary of the bills which have been read out to MPs and members of the House of Lords by the King earlier today (Tuesday)
Crime, justice and policing
Whole-life sentences for the worst murders will be introduced under a proposed sentencing bill.
Criminals will be forced to appear in the dock for sentencing. the bill follows the outrage when convicted killer nurse Lucy Letby refused to return to the dock to be sentenced after she was found guilty of the murders of seven infants and the attempted murder of six others.
The criminal justice bill will also give police new powers to enter buildings without a warrant to seize stolen goods.
A Victims and Prisoners Bill would prevent certain prisoners from marrying, create new rights for crime victims, and deliver Jade’s Law on parental rights
Law enforcement agencies such as the police could be given greater access to personal data while tech firms could be made to get approval for security features from the Home Office under new proposals.
Housing
A Leasehold and Freehold Bill will ban leaseholds for new houses, but not new flats, in England and Wales, and increase the standard lease extension period to 990 years
The existing Renters (Reform) Bill will deliver a long-promised ban on ‘no-fault’ evictions in England but this will only come into force after reforms to the court system
Environment
Licences for oil and gas projects in the North Sea to be awarded annually, under the Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill
An Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill will ban the export of cattle from Great Britain for fattening and slaughter
Digital
An Automated Vehicles Bill will set a legal framework in Great Britain for self-driving cars
Pledges to strengthen consumer rights online and tackle fake reviews are contained in the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill
The existing Data Protection and Digital Information Bill will replace the data protection regime the UK inherited from the EU
The Media Bill, published in draft form earlier this year, will scrap a never-enacted rule forcing media companies to pay the legal bills of people who sue them, even if they win
Lifestyle
A Tobacco and Vapes Bill will deliver a plans for a phased ban on smoking, and introduce restrictions on the packaging and marketing of vapes
A regulator for the top five tiers of English professional football will be established by the Football Governance Bill
A Pedicabs (London) Bill will give Transport for London new powers to regulate pedal-powered taxi cabs in the capital
