PM vows brighter future after King's Speech as Labour attacks 'recipe for decline'

1. MPs are debating the government's plans for the year ahead, after Charles delivered his first King's Speech to Parliament
2. The King outlined bills on tougher sentences for murders committed with sexual or sadistic motives, and a ban on leaseholds for new houses in England and Wales
3. A phased ban on smoking, restrictions on the marketing of vapes, and annual licences for oil and gas projects in the North Sea also featured
4. Labour leader Keir Starmer told MPs the plans were "more of the same" from a government "desperately trying to save their own skin”
5. But Rishi Sunak said the plans would "change our country for the better", and would bring "more jobs, more investment and higher growth"

The last King's Speech before election - but will it change the political weather?

Chris Mason

Political editor

Today felt like a ceremonial comma. A punctuation mark in an autumn of familiar political sentences.

The government setting out the hoped for legal architecture to make their recent promises a reality.

Those hoping for a frisson from the unexpected will have left deflated. But Downing Street never suggested this would be a flurry of the fresh, a wagon load of new ideas.

Instead, this felt very Sunakian: iterative, rather than explosive, but with an emphasis on ideas he is personally passionate about: reforming post-16 education in England; banning young people from smoking.

There are clear dividing lines with Labour - not least the annual round of oil and gas licencing under the North Sea.

And the focus on crime with a particular eye on Conservative voters recent and long standing, a big chunk of whom polls suggest are disillusioned.

The big question, for Conservative MPs and the country alike, is whether all of this adds up to something that could change the political weather.

Many Tory MPs will fret that it does not.

The increasingly widespread expectation here is that the Conservatives will lose the next election. And there are a shrivelling number of set piece moments for them to try to prevent that.

Thanks for reading our live coverage. You can read our full story on today here.

Here's where you can read more

Adam Durbin

Live reporter

We'll be closing up shop on our live coverage of the day in Westminster soon, so here's a final summary of what we've heard today.

In his first King's Speech, King Charles outlined the government's priorities for the year - including plans for tougher jail sentences, a ban on new leasehold homes, and new annual licences for new North Sea oil and gas projects.

Responding to the government's proposals, Labour leader Keir Starmer told the House of Commons they offered only "sticking plasters" and was "a plan for more of the same" from a government "trying to save its own skin".

After Starmer addressed MPs, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said his proposals would bring a "brighter future" to the UK, lead to job growth and more police officers, going on to accuse Labour of proposing "dangerous" spending plans.

If you'd like to catch-up or explore in more detail, here's a few links:

• Our full write up of the speech and ensuing debate
• An at-a-glance summary of the key policies announced

We've also written a few pieces on specific things from the speech:

• Restrictions on the sale and marketing of disposable vapes

• Plans to set up an independent regulator for football
• A move to stop rogue pedicab drivers in London

Thanks for following. This page was brought to you by myself and my colleagues: Tara Mewawalla, Laura Gozzi, Thomas Mackintosh, Mattea Bubalo, Dulcie Lee and Francesca Gillett - as well as Sam Francis and Arryn Moy in Westminster.

Will government plans help ease prison overcrowding?

Dominic Casciani

Home and legal correspondent

One criminal justice measure the government hasn't overly highlighted today is the plan to relieve prison overcrowding.

As of this week, there were almost 88,000 people in cells - with about 1,200 places left.

The Sentencing Bill will tell judges to avoid, where possible, jailing offenders who would serve less than 12 months.

There's evidence that they don't necessarily help prevent them reoffending.

Community sentences can assist rehabilitation if the offender is carefully managed and gets help with problems like drug addiction. That costs money - mostly on people - and the probation service is, according to independent inspectors, in a terrible state.

Tana Adkin KC, the barrister who chairs the Criminal Bar Association, says: "If we want prison sentences to work, the government must invest in the infrastructure."

No sign of conversion therapy ban - but it's still possible

Lauren Moss and Josh Parry

LGBT & Identity Correspondents

LGBTQ+ campaigners say not bringing in a conversion therapy ban is “frightful negligence” and Labour has called it “a betrayal” of LGBT people at risk.

But how dead in the water is it?

Just because plans for a ban weren’t in the King’s Speech, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s dropped altogether - it is still possible legislation could be brought forward.

A government spokesperson says it’s a “complex issue” that they’re “carefully considering” and Britain’s human rights watchdog (the EHRC) has today reiterated that it hopes the government will uphold its commitment for a ban.

However, given that the King’s Speech outlines the government’s main objectives before the next election, which will come no later than January 2025, realistically chances of a bill being passed, with all the scrutiny it will require to satisfy all sides, are slim if it isn’t taken on as a priority.

Fossil fuels or renewable energy? Or both?

Esme Stallard

Climate reporter

In one breath, King Charles announced his government's intention to support more oil and gas in the North Sea, and in the next breath their commitment to the renewable energy sector.

The government will hope that pursuing a mix of energy sources will provide more security for the country. But some green campaigners, like climate change think tank E3G believe that continuing to go after oil and gas will "undermine investment in the UK’s net zero transition".

The UK has for some time been a world leader in offshore wind energy, capitalising on its extensive coastline and favourable winds. But in the last year there are signs that this position is under threat.

The government failed to attract any bids from developers for new contracts in its renewable energy auction in September. And companies are complaining about higher interest rates and inflation making projects unviable - last month we saw the world's biggest offshore wind developer, Ortsed, pull out of two major projects in the US at a cost of $4bn.

Industry players will be watching closely to see how Rishi Sunak intends to re-boost the UK's renewables sector.

New counter-terror Martyn's law 'needed more than ever'

Dominic Casciani

Home and legal correspondent

Family handout

Martyn Hett: Killed in the Manchester Arena terror attack in 2017

Six years ago 22 people were murdered when a bomber blew himself up at Manchester Arena. For almost as long, survivors, the bereaved and their supporters have campaigned for the government to force venues to reduce the risk of such attacks by improving their security.

The proposals are known as Martyn's Law, in memory of Martyn Hett, one of those who was killed. And the government has now pledged to legislate.

Martyn's mother, Figen Murray, who was awarded an OBE for her counter-terrorism campaigning, argues that a new legal requirement on venues will make them assess and improve their safety and security.

The precise measures a venue would need to introduce would be dependent on its size and the type of event taking place.

It is a bit of mystery why it's taken so long for the government to announce it will make the plan law.

In September, Figen Murray reminded the PM that he had promised nine months earlier to enact Martyn's Law. Speaking today, she said that the law was needed more than ever, given current global tensions. "I absolutely urged the prime minister to rush this through as quickly as possible," she told BBC News.

BBC Verify

Is rough sleeping really down by a third?

The prime minister was asked about homelessness after Home Secretary Suella Braverman pushed for a crackdown on tents being used by rough sleepers. “Rough sleeping overall is down by around a third since the peak," said Rishi Sunak.

Homelessness is a devolved policy, so the Westminster government only sets policy for England.

The prime minister is right that rough sleeping in England is down by a third from its peak.

Looking at the annual figures for the number of people sleeping rough on a single autumn night in England, the peak was 4,751 in 2017. The latest figure was 3,069 in 2022, which was down 35% since 2017.

But the figure for 2022 was 25% higher than it had been in 2021 and the monthly figures suggest that rough sleeping has been rising in 2023.

Watch: Think very carefully about Braverman, says Starmer

The government's Home Secretary Suella Braverman came up during Keir Starmer's attack on the King's Speech earlier.

Starmer urged Rishi Sunak to "think very carefully" about the the home secretary's policy proposals - referring to the row over her plan to restrict homeless people using tents. The plan wasn't in the King's Speech - but sources say it's not been dropped.

Starmer warns Sunak about Braverman's leadership ambitions

Family of murder victim Zara welcome King's Speech

Katherine Smith

BBC News

Family Handout

The family of Zara Aleena who was stalked and murdered in June 2022 have welcomed new rules to force criminals to attend their sentencing and plans for stronger sentences for violent criminals - both outlined in the King’s Speech today.

Jordan McSweeney admitted murder and sexual assault but refused to attend his sentencing hearing last December. On Friday he won a Court of Appeal challenge to have his minimum tariff of 38 years reduced to 33 years.

Zara’s aunt, Farah Naz said stronger sentences "send a resounding message to potential offenders and serves as a potent deterrent".

In a statement she said: "Today, we remember her with gratitude for the impact her legacy has had on making these crucial changes happen.

"It is regrettable that such measures weren't in place in Zara's case, where, ironically, the man who murdered her received a reduction in his minimum sentence just days ago," she added.

What was in the speech for education?

Hazel Shearing

Education correspondent

The King’s Speech rehashed some plans we’ve heard about already this year, aimed at strengthening education "for the long-term".

That’s certainly an appropriate descriptor for the Advanced British Standard – a qualification that would replace A-levels and T-levels, set for possible implementation in around 10 years’ time.

The speech underlined ministers' desire to crack down on what they call "poor quality degrees" at universities. The government is worried about courses with high drop-out rates, or which don’t channel graduates into professional jobs, and has already outlined plans to cap student numbers on some courses.

And it stressed a desire to get more young people doing "high quality apprenticeships". The government has a challenge on its hands here, as just 53.4% of apprentices in England completed and passed external final assessments last year.

There is nothing here to address ongoing concerns about school funding and teacher recruitment, or, as the National Education Union points out, the state of school buildings.

Watch: How Starmer attacked the speech and how Sunak responded

After listening to the King's Speech earlier, Labour leader Keir Starmer called it "more of the same" and "a new low".

"They're not even pretending to govern anymore," he said:

Starmer opens Kings Speech debate attacking government record

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak responded to him, calling it a "historic" speech which would create more jobs, more investment and higher growth:

King's Speech: More jobs, more investment, higher growth to come - Sunak

Braverman still pushing for crackdown on homeless people using tents

Brian Wheeler

Political reporter

UK Parliament

Home Secretary Suella Braverman is still pushing for restrictions on the use of tents by rough sleepers in England and Wales.

The proposal was not in the King's Speech setting out the government's priorities for the year ahead. But a source close to Braverman insisted the idea had not been dropped.

Downing Street said it would not speculate on whether the proposal would eventually be included in the Criminal Justice Bill. The bill - which was in the King's Speech - includes proposed new powers to tackle "persistent, nuisance, and organised begging".

Braverman wants the Criminal Justice Bill to include fines for rough sleepers who have been warned by police about causing a nuisance, such as by refusing to move their tents from shop doorways.

It would be aimed at those who "choose to live in tents" and had refused offers of help to get off the streets or enter drug treatment, her spokesman told the BBC.

• Read more here

Biggest railway shake-up in decades on its way

Katy Austin

Transport correspondent

A draft bill on rail reform - among the planned laws set out today - should enable the establishment of Great British Railways, giving it the powers such as awarding contracts to train operating companies.

The idea is to bring together the management of track and trains in the biggest shake-up of how the railway is run for decades, with benefits for passengers.

There have been concerns in the rail industry that GBR might never been fully formed, given the more than two years passed since it was first announced.

This draft bill means that in theory, it will. But it's fair to say a draft bill has a much smaller chance of becoming law before the election, which is expected next year.

EPA

Government sources say pre-legislative scrutiny is important, to make sure it's in the best shape to get through Parliament as quickly as possible, and that this shows it is being taken seriously.

The government insists some benefits are being introduced without primary legislation, such as more pay-as-you-go ticketing.

Watch: What happened in 60 seconds

Today was a big day for the King and Rishi Sunak - who both saw their first King's Speeches, setting out the government's agenda. You can watch the day's events unfurl in this one-minute clip:

Charles' first King's Speech: What happened in 60 seconds

What's going on with North Sea oil and gas projects?

Esme Stallard

Climate reporter

Getty Images

Earlier this year, the government issued 100 new licences for companies to explore for more oil and gas in the North Sea - and it is now clear this is not a one off.

Today's speech shows the government is committed to promoting the UK's homegrown fossil fuels sector to provide a more reliable and cheaper source of energy.

But this assumption, that drilling for more oil will produce lower bills, is a contested one.

Any fuel taken out of the North Sea is not guaranteed to be used domestically. First off, some 80% is exported to international refineries as we do not have capacity here, and it will all be traded on global markets as our oil and gas fields are not publicly owned - so we will have to pay like everyone else.

Another point of contention is whether opening new oil and gas fields will still mean that the UK is in line with its climate targets. The government's advisers, the UK Committee on Climate Change, as well as the International Energy Agency, have both recognised that fossil fuels will continue to play a role in our economies for decades.

But the UKCCC have said this did not "in itself justify the development of new North Sea fields".

If you missed the whole thing or just want a recap...

Reuters

We're still keeping an eye on the Commons, but we're going to move away for now and look at some of the reaction and analysis that's been coming in.

The speech earlier outlined 21 laws that ministers officially plan on bringing in over the next year. If you want a reminder, they included:

• Crime - a bill on sentencing will give whole-life sentences for the worst murders, meaning rapists cannot be released early. Criminals will also be forced to appear in the dock, and certain prisoners will be prevented from marrying
• Energy - one of the more controversial ones will see licences for oil and gas projects in the North Sea be awarded annually
• Housing - there are changes to leaseholds, with a ban on leaseholds for new houses (but not new flats) in England and Wales, and also a ban on "no fault" evictions, although this will be a bit further off after other reforms.

There's a lot more you can read more about here...

Former PM Theresa May 'concerned' about what King's Speech left out

Former PM Theresa May is speaking now.

She praises what she says is the PM's focus on long-term decisions, from HS2 to smoking - but says there are some elements that she feels were missing from the King's Speech.

She says she felt "concerned" over their absence - notably the introduction of stronger measures against modern slavery and a review of the Mental Health Act.

UK Parliament

How many small boat crossings have there been this year?

Earlier, we heard the PM saying: “We are stopping the boats, with crossings down by over a fifth”.

Last year a record 45,755 people were detected arriving by small boats.

So far 26,699 people have crossed the Channel this year, according to the latest figures from the Home Office. This is a reduction of more than 30% compared to the same period last year.

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'UK can be a force for good' - Lib Dems

Lib Dem Leader Sir Ed Davey says today’s debate has been overshadowed by “horrifying events all over the world” – highlighting the Ukraine war and Gaza conflict.

“At times of global crisis like this the UK can be a force for good,” he argues, but only if the government is “strong and united”.

Instead, we have a government that is too divided and distracted to take serious action on energy security or the cost-of-living crisis at home.

Today’s King’s Speech is more “proof this is government that simply doesn’t care”.

UK Parliament

'Glimmer of hope' is that this is the PM's last King's Speech, Flynn jokes

Flynn ends with a jokey comment: "We do have one glimmer of hope: the fact that this it's not just the prime minister's first speech, it's also the prime minister's last [King's Speech]."

As the chamber begins to empty out, father of the house Sir Peter Bottomley (Conservative) replies by suggesting that the SNP will do worse in the next General Election than they did in 2017 (which wasn't a good year for them).

He then moves on to discussing the situation in Israel and the ongoing debate surrounding pro-Palestine demonstrations in the UK.