Some uncomfortable announcements for the 'climate King'published at 11:57 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2023

11:57 GMT 7 November 2023

Justin Rowlatt
Climate editor

Those who know the King say some of today’s announcements will be made through what one campaigner described as "gritted teeth".

Legislation will be introduced to “support the future licensing of new oil and gas fields”, the King told Parliament.

This, remember, is a monarch who has spent his entire life campaigning on the environment.

He told me he understands why young people take to the streets to demand action on climate change when I interviewed him in the garden of his house at Balmoral in the weeks before the UN’s international climate conference in Glasgow in 2021.

The then Prince of Wales warned of a “catastrophic” impact if more ambitious action isn’t taken on the issue.

But one of the King's friends told me today he is committed to "step fully into his new role, no ifs or buts" - referring to the constitutional requirement that the King does not get involved in politics.

“He will be implacable on this”, this long-time associate of the King said. “That said”, he continued, “everyone knows about his deep concerns about the impact of humanity on the natural world, climate, nature and people.”

Twenty-one bills - but not a jolt to Westminster systempublished at 11:54 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2023

11:54 GMT 7 November 2023

Henry Zeffman
Chief political correspondent

Twenty-one bills which the government says will be its priority over the coming year or so.

And not anything particularly surprising among them.

That’s not to play down the significance of particular measures, but it’s worth noting that there was nothing here that will act as a jolt to the Westminster system.

Conservative MPs eager for Rishi Sunak to do more to set the political weather may have to wait until Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement later this month.

Still, you could see in the speech not just the shape of the government’s legislative agenda but also of the general election to come.

The King and Queen Consort are now leaving the House of Lords and heading to the robing room.

Chris Mason
Political editor

This is where the politics returns really, after the ceremony of the morning.

If I've done my maths right, there were 16 bills mentioned in the speech there. But there are 21 in total.

I don't think there was anything that would amount to a rabbit, however well dressed, coming out of any hats.

Image source, UK Parliament

The speech has now finished, but a debate on its contents will begin in the House of Commons in a short while after a break.

Stick with us for analysis of the key policy announcements and points of debate among MPs.

We're now coming to the end of the King's Speech and one of the final policy areas mentioned is the environment.

The King, a committed champion of green issues, says his government "will continue to lead action on tackling climate change and biodiversity loss" - which follows the government watering down some of its green policies in September.

He then lists a series of events the government will be hosting, including a meeting of a new political club of nations - the European Political Community - and a state visit of the president of Korea.

"My government will, in all respects, seek to make long-term decisions in the interests of future generations," he says. "My ministers will address inflation and the drivers of low growth over demands for greater spending or borrowing."

Image source, UK Parliament

The King, who served in both the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, says the government will invest in "our gallant Armed Forces".

He also mentions the wars in Ukraine, and in Israel and Gaza, saying: "My ministers will work closely with international partners to support Ukraine, strengthen Nato and address the most pressing security challenges.

"This includes the consequences of the barbaric acts of terrorism against the people of Israel, facilitating humanitarian support into Gaza and supporting the cause of peace and stability in the Middle East."

Serious offenders should expect "tougher sentences" and police forces will be empowered "to prevent new or complex crimes" such as online crime and sexual grooming, the King says.

There will also be new laws protecting public premises aiming to prevent another Manchester Arena attack.

King Charles adds that the government will build on last year's Illegal Migration Act to fight "dangerous and illegal" small boat crossings in the English Channel.

Image source, UK Parliament

King Charles says the government will make it easier for leaseholders to purchase their freehold and fight excessive service charges.

He's now listing some of the other policies - including a plan to "regenerate towns", bring forward a new football regulator and also "deal with the scourge of unlicensed pedicabs in London".

The government is "committed to tackling antisemitism", he says.

The long-promised Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in Victoria Tower Gardens will also get the go-ahead for construction via a bill in Parliament. The bill authorises expenditure on the construction, maintenance and operation of the centre.

The King moves to NHS England, setting out the workforce plan which aims to "cut waiting lists" and "transform the long-term workforce"

The government will "train the doctors and nurses the country needs" and ensure "minimum service levels to prevent strikes from undermining patient safety".

The King adds that "record levels of investment" are "expanding and transforming mental health services".

And he announces the government will "create a smoke-free generation" by restricting the sale of tobacco and the sale and marketing of e-cigarettes to children.

He says the legislation will ensure children currently aged 14 or under will never be legally sold cigarettes.

The next announcement made by the King concerns the government's plans to invest in what they call emerging industries.

He says the government will establish "new legal frameworks to support the safe commercial development" of potentially revolutionary technologies.

These include self-driving vehicles and artificial intelligence.

There is a mention of Brexit now, with the King saying the government will "take steps to make the economy more competitive".

He says legislation will be brought forward to "promote trade and investment with economies in the fastest growing region in the world".

"My ministers will continue to negotiate trade agreements with dynamic economies, delivering jobs and growth in the United Kingdom," he adds.

He is speaking about the education system now, announcing that the government plans to introduce a new qualification called the "Advanced British Standard".

This will "bring technical and academic routes into a single qualification", he says.

The King adds that the plans will also be introduced to "reduce the number of young people studying poor quality university degrees and increase the number undertaking high quality apprenticeships".

The speech has moved onto transport plans now, with the King pledging investment in better connections in England.

He says ministers will "invest in Network North to deliver faster and more reliable journeys" for cities and towns in the North and Midlands.

The investment will prioritise "improving the journeys that people make most often", the King says.

Image source, UK Parliament

The King has moved onto new licences for North Sea energy extraction, telling the gathered peers and MPs the government will introduce legislation to strengthen the UK's energy security.

This will "reduce reliance on volatile international energy markets and hostile foreign regimes," he says.

The King says the bill will support the future licensing of new oil and gas fields and help the UK transition to net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 "without adding undue burdens on households".

Ministers will also "seek to attract record levels of investment in renewable energy sources and reform grid connections" to build on the UK's "track-record of decarbonising faster than other G7 economies".

The first policy focus of the King's Speech is directed at the future of the economy.

King Charles says the government will "continue to take action to bring down inflation, to ease the cost of living for families and help businesses fund new jobs and investment".

He says the government will continue to support the Bank of England to control rising prices by "taking responsible decisions on spending and borrowing".

"These decisions will help household finances, reduce public sector debt, and safeguard the financial security of the country," the King adds.

King Charles begins with a tribute to the “legacy of service and devotion to this country” set by his mother Queen Elizabeth.

Acknowledging the “significant long-term challenges” created for the UK by the Covid pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he says the government’s priority is to make "difficult but necessary long-term decisions to change this country for the better".

King Charles has begun today's main event: The King's Speech.

Despite the fanfare, the speech itself is usually fairly quick, shorn of rhetorical flourishes or jokes.

Image source, UK Parliament

MPs are now in the House of Lords, with the King's Speech now just moments away...