Ahead of the speech, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the plans announced today would “take the brakes off Britain”.
The King’s Speech marks the start of the parliamentary year and is part of the State Opening of Parliament ceremony. It allows governments to set out their priorities for the next year.
More than 35 bills and draft bills were announced with a focus on growing the economy and actioning key pledges on housebuilding, transport, and energy.
Responding to the speech, NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “I am pleased to say we have heard this new government repeatedly state that food security is critical for national security. Now that it has set out its legislative activity for this session of parliament, we need to see a plan for food production which backs this up. With farmer confidence at an all-time low, investment in food and farming via an increased multi-annual agriculture budget is key to unlocking growth and future prosperity.
“A number of Bills included in today’s King’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament will be significant for British farm businesses and the nation's food security, not least those relating to planning reform and infrastructure, crime and policing, mental health, skills and new technologies and renewable energy opportunities through the creation of GB Energy.
“Our farmers and growers are ambitious for the future, and with new policies that revitalise farm business confidence, government can help to kickstart economic growth, deliver affordable, climate-friendly, high welfare food production, improve the environment, and stimulate clean energy supply.
“We look forward to working in partnership with this new government to help shape the legislation that will deliver this change.”
Read our summary of the key takeaways for the agricultural industry:
1. Energy and water
The government said it recognises the “urgency of the global climate challenge” adding that it is “committed to a clean energy transition”.
A bill for Labour’s much-trailed plans to set up GB Energy will be introduced, a publicly owned “clean power company” with its HQ in Scotland. This ‘will help accelerate investment in renewable energy such as offshore wind’.
A new ‘Mission Control’ will also be launched, tasked with delivering clean power by 2030.
More legislation will also be introduced to strengthen the powers of the water regulator.
2. Workers’ rights
Labour’s plan to ‘Make Work Pay: Delivering a New Deal for Working People’ formed a key part of Labour’s campaign bid.
Through the Employment Rights Bill, legislation will be introduced to strike “a new deal for working people to ban exploitative practices and enhance employment rights”.
The government will also establish ‘Skills England’ which “will have a new partnership with employers at its heart” and it will reform the apprenticeship levy.
Through changes to the Low Pay Commission, it has said it will ensure the minimum wage is “a genuine living wage”.
3. Mental health
Last year, the now Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, confirmed that a Labour Government would introduce a bill to overhaul the Mental Health Act 1983.
The government today said it will legislate to modernise the Mental Health Act “so it is fit for the twenty-first century”.
There will be a focus on prevention and improvements to mental health provisions for young people.
4. Crime
Legislation will be brought forward to strengthen community policing, give the police greater powers to deal with anti-social behaviour and strengthen support for victims.
5. Planning
Through its Planning and Infrastructure Bill the government has said it will “get Britain building”, including through planning reform as it seeks to “accelerate the delivery of high-quality infrastructure and housing”.
The government will also look to encourage investment in industry, skills and new technologies in pursuit of “sustainable growth”.
6. Devolution
Devolution also featured heavily in the government’s set piece with pledges on greater powers for metro mayors and the introduction of an English Devolution Bill.
A new Council of the Nations and Regions will be established to “renew opportunities for the Prime Minister, heads of devolved governments and mayors of combined authorities to collaborate with one another”.
