Katy Austin
Transport correspondent

Buses are Britain’s most used form of public transport. But services have been in long-term decline, and the pandemic dealt a further blow.

Last year Greater Manchester became the first area outside of London to start franchising bus services, since deregulation in the 1980s.

That means instead of private bus companies setting timetables and fares, they’re set by the regional authority.

During the election campaign Labour promised new powers for local leaders to take control of bus services in their area, including through franchising.

It’s now announced a new law for England to make this happen. The restriction on creating new publicly-owned bus operators will also be lifted.

The government believes the changes will give local leaders the powers they need to improve bus services and provide what communities need.

The main risk involved is financial: enough people would need to use the services to avoid them losing money or fares having to go up.

Image source, EPA

Some more reaction now, and new Green MP Ellie Chowns says there were "some moves in a positive direction" in the King's Speech.

But, she adds, she would like to see "bolder action" from the government - by upping building standards, for example, or implementing nationwide home insulation.

The announcement of investment in renewable energy is "good", she adds, but an "absolutely clear" commitment to no fossil fuel extraction is needed.

Image source, PA Media

Katy Austin
Transport correspondent

Image source, EPA

It’s been a difficult time on the railway. Labour announced its reform plans in April, but new laws are needed to make the key elements happen.

One bill announced today will change existing legislation to make public, instead of private, operators the default.

Another will enable the creation of Great British Railways, an arms-length body to manage both tracks and trains as a "directing mind". It will be tasked with improving the railway and making changes like simplifying ticketing.

Private operators’ contracts to run passenger rail services will be brought into GBR as they expire over the coming years. So don’t expect things to look different immediately.

GBR will also take on the functions of government-owned Network Rail in looking after the infrastructure.

Labour argues that stopping paying fees to private train companies will save money, and a more joined-up approach will make things more efficient.

But the group which speaks for private train companies has previously warned nationalisation could end up with the taxpayer paying more.

We're starting to get reaction now to the King's Speech and the government's plans.

Reform UK's deputy leader - the newly elected MP Richard Tice - says while there were "warm words", he believes every announcement "represents more taxes, more bureaucracy, more regulation".

On the creation of GB Energy, Tice says the increased investment in renewables will "add to costs" so people will have to pay for "more expensive energy".

Image source, PA Media

Josh Parry
LGBT and identity reporter

Image source, Getty Images

A ban on conversion therapy was one of Labour’s manifesto promises, so its inclusion in the King's Speech today isn’t a huge surprise.

Conversion practices attempt to change or suppress someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Campaigners have been calling for legislation to ban it for many years; but it’s proven difficult to pass since first being pledged in 2018.

Some MPs and campaigners are concerned a ban could criminalise therapists or teachers who question a young person’s gender identity.

But Labour suggest they’ll try to avoid this by making sure any ban won’t cover legitimate psychological support, treatment or counselling.

It’s highly unlikely to pass in this parliamentary session as it will first go through a consultation; something campaigners on all sides will no doubt watch closely.

Alice Evans
Disability reporter

King Charles talked about a race equality bill, which covers pay for disabled people too.

The pay gap between disabled and non-disabled employees is 13.8%, according to the latest official statistics.

This bill - called the Draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill - would make it mandatory for firms with 250 or more employees to report their pay gap.

It’s been a long time coming for campaigners, but some have already said they want more detailed mandatory reporting - such as on the number of disabled people firms employ.

The government says the bill builds on the success of the introduction of mandatory gender pay reporting.

Since it started in 2017, the gender pay gap has fallen from 9.1% to 7.7%, in 2023.

But closer inspection of the figures by Radio 4’s More or Less programme shows the gap had already begun to drop before 2017. So some people doubt the impact the rule change has made.

Kevin Peachey
Cost of living correspondent

Housing is a priority for this government - and one on which it will be judged at the next election.

A bill aims to streamline planning to accelerate the building of 1.5 million homes in England in the next five years - that’s a daily average of 822.

Official figures published today show the average house price in England has risen above £300,000.

But it is far from guaranteed that building more homes will make property more affordable, particularly for first-time buyers.

Proposed changes for 11 million renters in England will likely have a more immediate impact, with a much-delayed ban on no-fault evictions included in the speech, even though it will face close scrutiny in the Lords.

The Renters’ Rights Bill also includes plans to end rental bidding wars, allow tenants to request keeping a pet - which a landlord could not unreasonably refuse - and improve the standard and safety of rental properties.

We have just seen King Charles and Queen Camilla leave the Palace of Westminster to head back to Buckingham Palace.

The departure of the King from Parliament officially starts the new parliamentary session, and MPs will soon begin getting back to work in the House of Commons.

Judith Moritz
North of England correspondent

Image source, PA Media

The inclusion of both a Hillsborough Law and Martyn’s Law in the King’s Speech is a real victory for "people power".

The two laws cover very different territory. The first deals with how public officials conduct themselves at inquiries; the second covers the way public venues cater for the threat of terrorism.

Both laws have grown out of the bitter experience of people who’ve been bereaved or have survived mass-scale tragedies. Both have involved years of campaigning.

Those pushing for a Hillsborough Law will be pleased to see the bill also includes legal funding for bereaved families at public inquiries, though they may say the devil will be in the detail here.

Figen Murray - whose son Martyn Hett was killed at Manchester Arena has been campaigning to improve counter-terrorism safety at venues - says seeing Martyn’s Law included in the speech comes as a "huge relief".

Image source, Reuters

We've just heard from the King - but as a reminder, his speech was written by the government...

• The government promised to "get Britain building" by reforming planning procedures to "accelerate" housebuilding across the country
• For renters, it plans on giving them "greater rights and protections", including a plan to end no-fault evictions
• On migration, the government aims to "modernise" the asylum and immigration system and establish a new Border Security Command
• Meanwhile, train operators will be brought into public ownership, and local leaders will be allowed to "take control" of local bus services

• The government will also "remove the VAT exemption for private school fees" - the government hopes this will fund 6,500 new teachers
• A bill to establish an independent football regulator will be introduced to ensure "sustainability" in the game and give stronger protections for fans - a plan dropped by the previous government
• Climate change is also on its agenda, with the establishment of publicly-owned Great British Energy to invest in renewable energy
• The government will also "encourage wide participation in the democratic process" - hinting at Labour's election pledge to give the vote to 16-year-olds
• There are also plans to roll out "greater devolution" of decision making to metro mayors and combined authorities in England, give local leaders power over bus services, as well as work to "strengthen" Westminster's relationship with the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish governments
• And reform of the House of Lords is also on the cards - including the removal of hereditary peers' right to sit and vote

The King announces Great British Energy - but what is it?published at 11:57 British Summer Time 17 July

11:57 BST 17 July

Justin Rowlatt
Climate editor

Our climate-minded monarch will no doubt approve of the government’s proposal to create GB Energy.

The new publicly owned company will be based in Scotland and is designed to accelerate the rollout of renewables as part of the government’s effort to decarbonise the UK’s electricity system by 2030.

GB Energy will have £8.3bn of public cash over the course of the Parliament - including £1.2bn from raising the windfall tax on oil and gas companies.

It won’t supply electricity to households. The plan is for it to invest its cash alongside private companies.

The idea is GB Energy will:

• Help kickstart new renewable technologies like tidal and wave power, floating wind turbines and carbon capture and storage
• Call forth additional investment in existing technologies such as wind, solar and nuclear power
• Work with local communities to develop small and medium sized renewable projects

The government says GB Energy will also drive down bills - a claim I’ll explore in a later post.

Image source, PA Media

Remember, the end of the King's Speech is not the end of matters at this State Opening of Parliament.

There will soon be a debate on its contents over in the House of Commons - but that won’t kick off till 14:30 BST.

In the meantime, stick with us for analysis on the key policy announcements just made.

On housing, where is the detail?published at 11:54 British Summer Time 17 July

11:54 BST 17 July

Mark Easton
Home editor

The centrepiece of the King’s Speech was expected to be announcements on “turbocharging” housebuilding in England and obliging local councils to meet housing targets.

But they weren't there.

The government’s legislative programme does include proposals to speed up the planning system and do more to support renters and leaseholders.

But where, the housing sector is asking, is the detail on how Labour will meet its promise to deliver 1.5 million extra houses in this Parliament, including many more social and affordable homes?

Ministers hope that by devolving spatial planning powers to England’s metro mayors, regional government will help deliver more homes. They also believe planning reforms will encourage developers to get building.

But there are concerns both among private housebuilders and social housing providers that the plans are not enough to reach a level of housing development last seen half a century ago.

Having completed his duties as monarch, King Charles is now descending from his seat to make his way out of the Lords.

Growth, growth, growth - Labour's priority is clearpublished at 11:49 British Summer Time 17 July

11:49 BST 17 July

Henry Zeffman
Chief political correspondent

“Securing economic growth... pursue economic growth... a key driver of economic growth… local growth plans… promote growth."

Those phrases all came within about two minutes of each other in the King’s Speech.

It was not exactly subtle.

That’s what this new Labour government wants the theme of its first year or so in office to be.

What may prove some of the most contentious measures - the planning and infrastructure bill, and the English devolution bill - are both aimed at driving growth.

But legislation is only part of a government’s job. The prime minister and his ministers will have to respond rapidly to unexpected events, as well as making decisions on issues ranging from public sector pay to universities to water companies to council finances.

One of the questions for this government is whether they can ensure events do not blow their focus on growth off course.

As his speech draws to a close, the King says he and Queen Camilla are looking forward to their upcoming visit to Australia and the Pacific island of Samoa in October.

Remember, the King will make the lengthy journey despite his diagnosis for cancer earlier this year.

And, as he prays for the "the blessing of Almighty God" on members of the Lords and Commons, the King's Speech ends.

The government will "play its part" in trying to secure "long-term peace and security in the Middle East", the King says.

In reference to the war in Gaza, the King says the government is "committed" to a two-state solution - with a "safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state".

We are hearing how about international diplomacy and the new government’s commitments to Nato – the Western defence alliance.

The King says the Labour government will "ensure a strong defence" based on Nato's principles of "individual liberty, democracy, human rights and the rule of law".

"[The government’s] commitment to Nato will remain unshakeable," says King Charles.

He goes on to say Ukraine will be given "full support" and that the UK will "will endeavour to play a leading role in providing Ukraine with a clear path to Nato membership".

Touching on Brexit, King Charles says the new government will "seek to reset the relationship with European partners and work to improve the UK's trade and investment relationship with the European Union".

The King - speaking, remember, in the House of Lords - now moves onto Lords reform.

The King says there will be measures to "modernise the constitution" and "remove the right of hereditary peers" to sit and vote in the Lords.

The government will also propose a "modernisation committee" of the House of Commons which would work towards "driving up standards", and improve work practices and procedures.

Image source, Reuters

The King is now speaking about the devolved nations.

He says a new council will be set up to help the government "strengthen its work with the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so that the best outcomes possible are delivered for citizens across the United Kingdom".

He also says the new government will continue to support the devolved government in Northern Ireland, and measures will be brought forward to start "repealing and replacing" last year’s Northern Ireland Troubles Act 2023.

• Read more about the act - and why Labour has been urged by some to scrap it - here