King Charles has unveiled the government’s planned new laws at the State Opening of Parliament.
The King’s Speech begins with the government warning of a “dangerous and volatile” world, adding that “economic security depends on raising living standards” in every part of the UK
On the government’s agenda are infrastructure development, plans for legislation to reform the police, the NHS and the criminal justice system, and a bill to strengthen ties with the EU
For all the talk of “my government”, the King’s role today is ceremonial and formal – reading the speech is the job, writes our royal correspondent
The speech comes after Keir Starmer’s 17-minute meeting with Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who is seen as a potential leadership rival, at Downing Street
Meanwhile, the government will increase long-term investment in social housing and reform the leasehold system, including by capping ground rents, the King says.
For context: The Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill has already started its journey into law. The government published draft legislation in January, setting out how it would work and it is likely to pass later this year
