King’s Speech addresses plan to tackle climate change and “take the brakes off Britain”

Improving living standards for working people through economic growth is the central focus of new laws unveiled by His Majesty The King today.

In the first State Opening of Parliament under this government, The King’s Speech introduces over 35 bills and draft bills which will support delivery of the Government’s first steps and missions to rebuild Britain.

The package of bills focuses on growing the economy through better transport, more jobs and turbocharging building of houses and infrastructure – helping to make every part of the country better off. 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “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.”

A clean energy superpower and cleaning up the water industry

The speech highlights the new Government’s recognition of the urgency of the global climate challenge and the new job opportunities that can come from leading the development of the technologies of the future.

It states the Government’s commitment to a clean energy transition which will lower energy bills for consumers over time, introducing the Great British Energy Bill. This entails a publicly owned clean power company headquartered in Scotland, which will help accelerate investment in renewable energy such as offshore wind.

Bringing forward legislation to help the country achieve energy independence and unlock investment in energy infrastructure, the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (Revenue Support Mechanism) Bill and the Water (Special Measures) Bill to improve water quality are addressed in the speech that took place in Parliament. These are detailed in the full document released by the Government, with The Crown Estate Bill, as measures as part of the Clean Energy Superpower mission and restore the health of the country’s rivers, lakes and seas.

The National Wealth Fund Bill is also set out in the background briefing as central to the Government’s mission to deliver growth and a greener economy, intended to mobilise private sector investment.

Read the King’s Speech here.