State opening of UK Parliament: What's in the King's Speech?

The annual event is a political ceremony held against a backdrop of royal tradition

Britain's King Charles III during the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster in London on November 7, 2023. AP

Improving living standards and economic growth will be the central focus of the King’s Speech at the state opening of Parliament on Wednesday.

The speech, which will be made by King Charles III outlining Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s ambitions for the UK government, will unveil a series of bills that represent the government's manifesto for the year ahead.

The state opening of Parliament – a political event against a backdrop of royal tradition – is held annually to outline the government’s priorities.

New bills will deliver laws on the Labour party’s pledges for better transport, more jobs and the turbocharged building of houses and infrastructure.

What is the State Opening of Parliament?

It is the ceremonial opening of the British Parliament – this time it will usher in the new Labour government after the general election win.

It is usually held on the first day of the new parliamentary session. The last state opening, on November 7, 2023, was King Charles III’s first as monarch.

The ceremony begins with a royal procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster. King Charles arrives at the Sovereign's Entrance where he leads the Royal Procession through to the chamber of the House of Lords.

From there, Black Rod is sent to summon the Commons. He strikes the door three times and MPs follow Black Rod into the Lords chamber.

What is the King’s Speech?

The King’s Speech is written by the government and outlines the laws it plans to introduce.

The monarch speaks from the throne in the House of Lords. When the king leaves, the new parliamentary session officially starts.

The main events on Wednesday will take place between 11am and 12.30pm.

What is in the King’s Speech?

More than 35 bills are expected to be announced as Labour seeks to maintain momentum and define its first 100 days in office as a period of positive progress.

Transport

New legislation to create a simplified rail system by bringing services into public ownership once their contracts expire or if operators fail to deliver on their commitments.

Building

A bill to speed up and streamline the planning process to build more homes of all tenures and accelerate the delivery of major infrastructure projects.

Fiscal discipline

A new bill to strengthen the role of the economic watchdog, the Office of Budgetary Responsibility, to guarantee that major fiscal decisions are properly scrutinised.

Clean energy

Begin the process of establishing the state-owned GB Energy, which will oversee investment in big projects involved in the decarbonisation of the electricity grid.

Martyn's Law

Labour has promised to bring forward Martyn's Law, which is focused on improving security at public venues and named after Martyn Hett, who died in the Manchester Arena bombing.

Expand devolution

Mayors and councils are expected to be handed more control over skills, energy, planning and transport, including bus routes and fares.

National wealth fund

Legislation to launch the national wealth fund designed to attract billions in private-sector investment to support UK growth.

Workers' rights

Measures are set to include a ban on zero-hour contracts, giving workers' rights immediately on starting a job and a crackdown on the practice of firing and rehiring.

Mental health help

Aiming to provide 8,500 specially trained mental health staff, establish support in all schools and provide access to early intervention services in every community.

What has Keir Starmer said?

Labour has said the package of bills will focus on growing the economy through better transport, more jobs and the rapid building of houses and infrastructure.

The Prime Minister said: “Now is the time to take the brakes off Britain. For too long people have been held back, their paths determined by where they came from, not their talents and hard work.

“I am determined to create wealth for people up and down the country. It is the only way our country can progress and my government is focused on supporting that aspiration.

“Today’s new laws will take back control and lay the foundations of real change that this country is crying out for, creating wealth in every community and making people better off – supporting their ambitions, hopes and dreams.”