King's Speech 2024: What did it say?

King Charles delivered the speech from his throne in the House of Lords

The King's Speech is a very important tradition; it marks the start of a new parliamentary year, known as a session.

It's similar to a headteacher making a speech at the start of a brand new school year.

On Wednesday, King Charles III set out in a speech in the Houses of Parliament what the new Labour government hopes to achieve.

From smoking bans to breakfast clubs, there were many new laws and ideas proposed by the new government in the King's Speech.

What did the King's Speech say?

The King's Speech is written for him by the government - in this case, it was written for him by the new Labour government, which won the general election in July.

The speech sets out what the government hopes to prioritise over the next year, including planned new laws.

Wednesday's speech covered lots of different proposals, from building new homes and infrastructure, to bringing train services under government ownership, creating an independent football regulator, and banning the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after 2009.

In total, there were 40 new bills proposed.

Following the speech, all 650 Members of Parliament (MPs) from across the UK will debate the proposals and vote on them in the House of Commons.

This could take a number of days.

How could the government's proposals affect me?

Anyone born in the year 2009 and after would be banned from buying cigarettes with the Tobacco and Vapes Bill

None of the proposals have been made law yet, but if they are, you might see some changes to the way the country's run.

For example, the new government is hoping to make the smoking ban proposed by the former Conservative government law.

This would mean anyone born in the year 2009 and after - so most of you reading this article - would not be able to buy cigarettes.

Families who rent their homes could have more protections under the Renters' Rights Bill

The government is also hoping to introduce a Renters' Rights Bill.

This bill would give more protection to people who rent houses.

For example, they would want to ban something called "No Fault" evictions.

No Fault evictions are where people living in rented homes can be forced to leave by their landlord at the end of their contract.

This is something that the Conservative government said they had hoped to ban when they were elected in 2019, but was never made law.

You can find out more about the issues affecting young people living in temporary and rented accommodation in our Newsround special No Place to Call Home.

Primary schools may be able to provide breakfast through the Children's Wellbeing Bill

Finally, the new government has proposed a Children's Wellbeing Bill.

The aim of this bill is to get English councils to keep records of children who are not in school full-time.

The bill would also look to bring in breakfast clubs to all primary schools in England.

What has the reaction been?

There has been lots of reaction to the King's Speech among MPs and party leaders.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Labour's plans will "take the brakes off Britain" - as he promises to improve the UK's economy.

MP Ellie Chowns from the Green Party said there were "some moves in a positive direction" but that she wanted "bolder action" on building standards and home insulation.

Leader of the Scottish National Party in Westminster, Stephen Flynn, said Labour did not offer enough to the people in Scotland.

He said it was "disappointing" that there was "no plan" for Scotland to have more devolved powers.