King Charles III set out the Government’s agenda for the next Parliamentary session in the first King’s Speech in 70 years today.
Attended by both members of the House of Lords and House of Commons, the speech, drafted by the Prime Minister focused on long term decision making to safeguard the future prosperity of the UK.
Commenting Burnley and Padiham’s MP Antony Higginbotham said:
If we’re going to improve people’s lives for the better in Burnley and Padiham then we have to deliver long-term solutions to the problems families and business face. That’s what I’ve been saying since day one. Because for too long governments of all colours have taken short-term decisions. And transforming our area was never going to be an overnight job.
We’re already making great strides locally with investment pouring in and is why I welcome the Government’s new, long-term legislative agenda.
It’s about securing our energy supply, helping our businesses export to fast growing markets, and keeping people safe by making sure the police have the powers they need, criminals are getting the punishment they deserve, and as a country we’re all protected from terrorism.
New legislation will focus on four key areas. First, growing the economy by introducing Bills that protect our energy security, secure the benefits of Brexit, and ensure we have the right framework for tech firms to compete and grow in the UK.
Second, strengthening society by protecting the health of young people, supporting private renters and landlords, and eradicating antisemitism everywhere. This includes the Holocaust Memorial Bill, to build a national Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in central London.
Third, keeping people safe by making sure the police have the powers they need, criminals get the punishment they deserve, and society is protected from terrorism. This includes the Sentencing Bill and the Criminal Justice Bill.
Fourth, promoting our national interests by backing our Armed Forces, supporting Ukraine and leading the way on the challenges of the future: climate change and AI.
In each of these areas the Government is taking action to deliver change for everyone in the United Kingdom, whilst continuing to halve inflation, prioritise higher growth over extra borrowing, reduce debt, relieve pressure on the NHS by cutting waiting lists and, crucially, implement the world-leading small boats laws to crush the people smuggling gangs and stop the boats.
Commenting, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:
Today marked the first King’s Speech in over seventy years, bringing forward our plan to build a better future for the next seventy.
Just as I have done with energy security, net zero, illegal migration and HS2, the King’s Speech takes the long-term decisions to address the challenges this country faces, not the easy way out with short-term gimmicks.
As we take the necessary steps to halve inflation and reduce debt, we will legislate to grow the economy, by supporting innovative businesses and protecting consumers.
To make the real change this country needs, we will bring forward bills that strengthen our society, help people feel safer in their own communities and give a sense of pride in the place they call home.
Photography *Copyright House of Lords 2023 / Photography by Roger Harris
