UK government priorities for the forthcoming parliament
King Charles is due to deliver his first King’s Speech on Nov 7, setting out the UK government priorities and legislative agenda for the next parliamentary session. With a general election due by January 2025 and the Conservatives trailing in the polls, this represents a key opportunity for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to set out his party’s priorities and ambitions.
What will the King’s Speech include?
Media reports indicate that the speech, which is written by the government but delivered by the monarch, could include new bills to toughen sentences for serious crimes, shape future North Sea oil and gas exploration, and set up an independent football watchdog. However, experts also predict the government will want to avoid putting forward contentious new legislation that could slow down or overshadow other bills in its agenda.
What are the expected new bills?
Our report outlines a selection of bills that the King’s Speech is likely to put forward, including:
- Criminal Justice Bill
- Energy Exploration Bill
- Drivers Bill
- Football Governance Bill
- Leasehold Reform Bill
- Smoking Age Limit Bill
- Investigatory Powers (Reform) Bill
- Conversion Therapy Bill
- Hunting Trophy Bill
- Autonomous Vehicles Bill
- Network North Bill
- Offensive Weapons Bill
- Mental Health Bill
- Housing (nutrient neutrality) Bill
- Media Bill
- Terrorism (Protection of premises) Bill
The speech will also include bills carried over from the previous session:
- Renters (Reform) Bill
- Data Protection and Digital Information (No 2) Bill
- Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill
- Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill
- Victims and Prisoners Bill
- Holocaust Memorial Bill
Download the report
This Dods Political Intelligence report sets out the new laws, including bills carried over from the previous session, that the government is expected to put forward in the King’s Speech along with a brief explanation and context, based on statements by ministers and others, and media reports.