Summary

  • MPs are debating the government's plans for the year ahead, after Charles delivered his first King's Speech to Parliament

  • 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

  • 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

  • Labour leader Keir Starmer told MPs the plans were "more of the same" from a government "desperately trying to save their own skin”

  • But Rishi Sunak said the plans would "change our country for the better", and would bring "more jobs, more investment and higher growth"

  1. 'We all know Britain’s broke' - SNPpublished at 16:09 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2023

    MP Stephen Flynn addresses four MPs in front of him in CommonsImage source, UK Parliament

    “We all know Britain’s broke”, Stephen Flynn says.

    He offers some suggestions on how to increase growth, via “obvious solutions that may not be popular”.

    The UK needs increased migration and “access to the EU single market”, as overseas trade deals do not make up for the loss of growth since Brexit.

    It is a “damned” disgrace that the UK has not brought forward a Workers Rights Bill since leaving the EU, despite multiple promises, he says.

    Another path to economic growth is to “double down on the investment in net zero”.

  2. SNP call for Gaza ceasefire may raise Labour discomfortpublished at 16:04 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2023

    Iain Watson
    Political correspondent

    The SNP leader at Westminster, Stephen Flynn, calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, not just a humanitarian pause.

    There is some speculation the SNP could use an opposition day debate to force a vote in the Commons on the issue.

    If so, this could have the effect of enhancing Keir Starmer’s political discomfort and highlighting Labour divisions over Israel and Gaza.

  3. SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn speaking nowpublished at 16:02 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2023

    SNP leader Stephen Flynn speaks in CommonsImage source, UK Parliament

    Leader of the SNP Stephen Flynn begins his speech by “offering consensus” across several issues, including on Ukraine and on the conflict in Gaza.

    “These are our values - we believe in protecting civilians,” he says.

    He also says across the House there is concern over the “rise in anti-Semitism” off of the back of the conflict in Gaza. “I want to send support to all those in the Jewish community,” he says.

    Laying down a dividing line with the government, he calls for a “humanitarian ceasefire” from Israel, saying Israel is inflicting “collective punishment” on the people of Gaza.

  4. Sunak ends address vowing 'brighter future'published at 16:00 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2023

    The PM then moves to praise the decision to create a first "smoke-free generation" which he hails as the "most significant public health intervention for generations".

    Sunak then lists off the government's achievements in recruiting "more doctors, nurses and dentists than ever before" as well as a boost in educational standards.

    He then criticises Labour in not condemning strikes before finally, closing his address by paying tribute to the British Army, ahead of Remembrance Sunday this weekend.

    "We are an unwavering ally to Ukraine and proud to be one of the largest contributors to Nato," Sunak adds.

    He then rounds off by saying the economy is "well on its way to recovery".

    "It takes long-term decisions for a brighter future," Sunak concludes.

    Aerial shot of Commons as some MPs stand to leaveImage source, UK Parliament
    Image caption,

    MPs filter out of Commons after the main portion of the debate

  5. Sunak doesn't hold backpublished at 15:58 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2023

    Iain Watson
    Political correspondent

    You don’t have to listen closely to the PM to hear his next election campaign themes:

    Alleviating the cost of getting to net zero and denouncing opponents as "eco-zealots", accusing Labour of siding with the unions on strikes, and attacking Keir Starmer for inconsistent policies and lack of vision.

  6. Sunak may not have dividing line he wants on crimepublished at 15:57 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2023

    Iain Watson
    Political correspondent

    Rishi Sunak is defending his record on crime and proposing longer sentences for some offenders.

    But this is unlikely to give him the dividing lines he seeks.

    Labour may well differ when it comes to how to be tough on the "causes of crime", but under Keir Starmer - who has recently made more of his time as Director of Public Prosecutions - Labour will be keen not to be "out-toughed" on sentencing.

  7. Caroline Lucas booed after interrupting PMpublished at 15:54 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2023

    Caroline Lucas speaks in CommonsImage source, UK Parliament

    Green Party MP Caroline Lucas has just interrupted the PM to ask: "When he's going to start being straight with British public?"

    She is promptly booed by the Tory benches, but continues: "He pretends new oil and gas licences will get people's bills down.. when he knows that oil and gas is sold on international markets to the highest bidder," she says, adding: "When is he going to start rolling out the home insulation programme that will actually get people's bills down?"

    Sunak responds: "It's this party and me that was straight with the British people about the cost of getting to net zero", accusing Lucas of being "on the side of the eco-zealots".

  8. PM gives way to Labour MP criticising Braverman's homeless remarkspublished at 15:51 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2023

    MP Chris Bryant questions PM in ParliamentImage source, UK Parliament
    Image caption,

    Labour MP Chris Bryant questions Sunak

    The PM gives way briefly to Labour MP Chris Bryant who talks about Suella Braverman's controversial homelessness remarks - where she described it as a "lifestyle choice".

    Bryant asks if he will sack the home secretary.

    Sunak responds by questioning what this has to do with the energy policy points he was talking about before he was made to give way.

    But he does eventually answer him by listing off the government's homelessness achievements.

  9. Labour would 'fail to secure our energy supply' - PMpublished at 15:50 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2023

    Keir Starmer sits on the opposition bench, watching Rishi Sunak address CommonsImage source, UK Parliament

    Sunak says Labour would “fail to secure our energy supply”, whereas his government is investing “record amounts" in offshore wind, and in the Kings Speech backed new legislation for new “North Sea oil and gas” licenses.

    Quoting Gary Smith of the GMB, a key Labour donor, Sunak says, “here's one word for it, naïve - Not my word, but that of their own union paymaster”.

    Labour “want to pursue net zero with ideological zeal” he argues, compared to his government who are “cutting the cost of net zero for working people”.

  10. Labour's plan to borrow billions more every year 'dangerous' says PMpublished at 15:45 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2023

    Sunak attacks the Labour leader next. He says Starmer made a U-turn "as a former Republican who used to think this country's shouldn't even have a King's speech".

    He then says Labour's "plan to unnecessarily borrow £28bn more every year and give into inflation-busting pay demands from their union paymasters is dangerous, inflationary and the British people will pay the price in higher interest rates and higher taxes".

    Sunak then says Starmer "will borrow anything - people's money, people's ideas".

    He then makes a reference to the recent news that Labour's shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves lifted some passaged of her new book from other sources without acknowledging them and calls her"a copy and paste chancellor".

  11. Sunak turns on Starmer's planspublished at 15:41 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2023

    Iain Watson
    Political correspondent

    Rishi Sunak spends a chunk of his speech attacking Labour’s plans as well as setting out his own.

    That is unsurprising in that some of his measures mentioned in the King’s Speech – from oil and gas licences to restrictions on striking workers – are designed to make the dividing lines between government and opposition crystal clear ahead of the next election.

  12. King's speech means more jobs and police officers says PMpublished at 15:40 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2023

    Rishi Sunak at the despatch boxImage source, UK Parliament

    The Prime Minister lays out what the King's Speech will mean for the British public.

    Sunak insists it means more jobs, more investment, higher growth and more police officers on the streets, "places people are proud to call home," he says.

    He vows the government will deliver the changes reflected in this year's King's Speech.

  13. Long-term will build 'brighter future' - Sunakpublished at 15:40 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2023

    “This government is about taking long-term decisions to build a brighter future for this country,” he tells MPs.

    Because of this “inflation is falling and on track to be halved” – one of his five priorities set out in January - and the UK economy is growing faster than France and Germany.

    He said his government is also “stopping the boats” – another of his five priorities – with “crossings this year down by over a fifth”.

  14. Rishi Sunak begins by discussing latest in Israel-Gaza warpublished at 15:33 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2023

    Rishi Sunak at the despatch boxImage source, UK Parliament

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is speaking now. He starts off by paying tribute to the King, and then moves on to talk about the ongoing Israel-Gaza war, saying that the UK is doubling its funding for Palestinian civilians.

    He also reiterates the UK's support for Israel and its right to defend itself, which Sunak says "is the first duty of any government".

    Sunak also shares the update that "well over 100 British nationals have been able to leave Gaza" thanks to diplomatic efforts to re-open the Rafah crossing.

    Sunak also says that he is "sickened" by the rise in anti-Semitism seen in recent weeks and vows to do "whatever it takes" to keep the Jewish community safe.

    "We will fight hatred and extremism in all its forms - today, tomorrow and always."

  15. Tories have 'severed' Britain's future - Starmerpublished at 15:27 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2023

    Starmer continues to attack the government as he says there is a "never ending cycle" of the Tory Party in the United Kingdom.

    "We have to turn the page," Starmer continues.

    The Labour leader accuses the government of "severing" Britain's future and claims the only fight left in the government is "the fight for their own skin".

    "The change Britain needs is from Tory decline to Labour renewal," Starmer finishes to cheers from his MPs behind him.

    Next up is Prime Minister Rishi Sunak...

    Keir Starmer at the despatch boxImage source, UK Parliament
  16. Starmer singles out Braverman over homeless rowpublished at 15:26 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2023

    Iain Watson
    Political correspondent

    Keir Starmer chooses to single out Suella Braverman for denunciation.

    He is seeking both to damage a future Conservative leadership contender.

    But in doing so he is suggesting that Rishi Sunak is too weak to rein her in.

    He also smells a bit of political blood and is seeking to exploit some discomfort on the government benches, with some Cabinet ministers and senior Conservatives distancing themselves from her controversial comments on rough sleepers.

  17. Starmer has to convince voters Labour is the change they seekpublished at 15:24 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2023

    Iain Watson
    Political correspondent

    Sir Keir Starmer knows from polling and from focus groups that voters say they want change.

    The task he has is to convince voters that his party is the change they seek.

    So collectively he dismisses the government’s legislative programme as offering only "sticking plaster solutions" - a phrase he has deployed regularly over the past year.

    And he has to argue that the PM’s plans are not ambitious enough.

  18. Britain sees 'broken promises of past 13 years' - Starmerpublished at 15:22 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2023

    Starmer continues by listing what he says are "all the other broken promises of past 13 years" and says: "This is the plan they put to the British people and say: 'trust us, we've changed.' It's laughable - they can't see Britain. That's the only possible conclusion: the walls of this place are too high."

    "But let me assure the house," Starmer continues, "Britain sees them."

    He says that "Britain sees they offer no change on public services, no change on the cost of living crisis... And that is the change that Britain needs."

    "We needed a King's speech that would draw a line under 13 years of Tory decline," Starmer says - but says that instead the public got "a party so devoid of leadership it is happy to follow a home secretary who described homelessness as a lifestyle choice," he says, referring to Suella Braverman's recent comment on the topic.

  19. Starmer welcomes smoking and public health measurespublished at 15:21 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2023

    More from Starmer who turns to welcome segments of the King's speech including Jade's Law, Martyn's Law and a regulator in football.

    On smoking and public health the King "can count on our votes," Starmer says.

  20. Public want 'action not inaction'published at 15:18 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2023

    Keir Starmer giving his speech, with the Tory front bench looking on. One minister has his head in his hands.Image source, UK Parliament

    Keir Starmer says the public want "action not inaction" from the government and accuses the PM of overseeing a litany of failures, including "crumbling schools, waiting lists rising, rivers and streams dying, infrastructure cancelled".

    "Growth is set to be the lowest in the G7 next year [with] taxes higher than at any time since the war," Sir Keir says.

    This is the "Tory recipe for British decline, low growth, high-taxes and crumbling public services".