Key points of the King’s Speech - at a glance

The government is pledging to create a new partnership between business, unions and workers with wide-ranging changes to employment rights.

An employment rights bill will be introduced within the first 100 days, as promised by Labour in the run-up to the general election.

Measures will include banning “exploitative” zero-hours contracts, ending policies of fire and re-hire, and making parental leave, sick pay and protection from unfair dismissal available from day one in a job for all workers.

Read the full story from PA.

Responding to confirmation in the King’s speech that the government will bring forward a Renters’ Rights Bill to end section 21, ‘no fault’ repossessions, National Residential Landlords Association policy director Chris Norris said: “With an average of 15 households chasing every available home to rent it is vital that rental reform does not make an already serious supply crisis in the private rented sector worse.

“The system that replaces section 21 needs to be fair, workable and sustainable for both responsible landlords and renters. That means fixing a broken justice system which too often fails those reliant upon it.

“The housing minister has rightly noted that landlords need the courts to operate quickly where they have a good reason to repossess a property. This includes cases of tenant anti-social behaviour and serious rent arrears, which currently take almost seven months to process. This is far too long.

“Tenants are no better served by delays, which increase hardship, stress, and uncertainty. We need action from the government, alongside the bill, to ensure all are able to access justice in a timely fashion when they need to do so.

“We will work constructively with the government as it continues to work on the detail of its plans.”

The new Labour Government will press ahead with reforms of company audits and corporate governance with plans for a more powerful watchdog under long-awaited legislation unveiled in the King’s Speech.

The draft Audit Reform and Corporate Governance Bill will pave the way for a new accounting regulator – the Audit, Reporting and Governance Authority – to replace the Financial Reporting Council (FRC).

Read the full story from PA.

The Hillsborough law has the potential to save and change lives, campaigners said as they hailed the Government’s commitment to new legislation as part of the King’s Speech.

As Opposition leader, Sir Keir Starmer had re-affirmed in April, on the 35th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, his commitment to bringing in the law.

Campaigners have been calling for new legislation to prevent the experiences of families of the 97 Liverpool fans who were killed in the 1989 disaster happening again, and to help victims of other scandals to get justice.

Read the full story from PA.

The SNP criticised the King’s speech as a “missed opportunity” that failed to deliver measures such as scrapping the two-child benefit cap.

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said: “Keir Starmer has failed his first test in government. This timid legislative programme is a missed opportunity that failed to deliver the change that people in Scotland were promised.

“People in Scotland voted for clear and substantial change at Westminster, and the Labour government was handed a huge mandate to deliver it, so it’s bitterly disappointing that they have thrown that opportunity away.

“While some of the small measures announced are welcome, they fail to deal with the major challenges facing the UK. There was no plan to eradicate child poverty, no plan to tackle the cost of living and no plan to end Tory austerity and boost NHS funding.

“And with no plan to reverse the damage of Brexit or properly invest in green energy – Starmer is restricting the potential for strong growth in the economy, wages and living standards.

“For Scotland, there was no plan to deliver the maximum devolution that Labour promised during the independence referendum and, despite promising to abolish the House of Lords for more than a century, they are only planning to tinker around the edges."

The government has introduced a new version of Rishi Sunak’s plan to end “no-fault” evictions during the King’s Speech on Wednesday.

Sir Keir Starmer‘s plans for the wide-ranging Renter’s Rights Bill also includes empowering tenants to challenge rent increases and to request a pet; setting rules around the timeframes within which landlords must make homes safer for private renters, known as Awaab’s Law, and applying a “decent homes standard” to the sector.

Read the full story from Yahoo News.

The Liberal Democrats vowed to “make the voice of carers heard” as the party responded to the King’s Speech.

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said: “After years of crisis and chaos under the Conservative Party, it is clear our country faces enormous challenges. The Liberal Democrats will carefully scrutinise the Government’s plans, striving hard to stand up for our constituents.

“We will continue campaigning to fix the NHS, boosting GP numbers, tackling delays to cancer treatment and improving access to dentists and pharmacists.

“We will make sure the voice of carers is heard, from increasing the Carer’s Allowance to the big challenge of fixing social care – so that our loved ones can get the support they need.”

King Charles has unveiled the new Labour government’s plan to introduce no fewer than 40 bills over the next year.

Keir Starmer says he and his ministers “will be committed to uniting the country in our shared mission of national renewal” following 14 years of at-times chaotic Tory rule.

“This King’s Speech returns politics to serious government, returns government to service and returns service to the interests of working people,” the PM said.

Read the full story from HuffPost.

Protesters could be heard chanting “not my king” to His Majesty as he left parliament.

Activists from Republic held up yellow banners and placards outside the Treasury as King Charles passed in a carriage through Whitehall.

Members of the public could be heard clapping and cheering the King on the other side of the road as he came through in a carriage with the Queen.

The government is bringing in measures to strengthen regulation of the water industry as it attempts to answer public anger over sewage polluting rivers, lakes and seas.

The Water (Special Measures) Bill announced in the King’s Speech includes regulations to make water company bosses face personal criminal liability for breaking laws on water quality, and new powers for regulator Ofwat to ban the payment of bonuses if environmental standards are not met.

Read the full story from PA.

The new Labour government has confirmed it will resurrect Rishi Sunak’s proposed smoking ban in the King’s speech.

Anyone born after 2009 will be prevented from ever legally buying tobacco, under the plans.

The measure was confirmed during the King’s speech on Wednesday, where it was confirmed that there will be increases to the age at which people can buy tobacco so that future generations will never legally be able to do so.

Read the full story from Yahoo News.

The King said there would be more rights for renters in his speech at the state opening of parliament.

“Legislation will be introduced to give greater rights and protections to people renting their homes, including ending no-fault evictions and reforming grounds for possession," he said. "Draft legislation will be published on leasehold and commonhold reform."

While there were no surprises in the King's Speech, there were some things that were not mentioned...

Sir Keir Starmer said the government would “fix the foundations of this nation” but “rebuilding our country will not happen overnight” as he set out his plans in the King’s speech.

Closing his speech, the King has reiterated the government's "unshakable" commitment to Nato and said the government would "conduct a strategic defence review".

He said: “My government will seek to reset the relationship with European partners and work to improve the United Kingdom’s trade and investment relationship with the European Union.

“My ministers will seek a new security pact to strengthen co-operation on the mutual threats faced by the United Kingdom and the European Union.”

On the Middle East, he said the government was committed to a two-state solution “with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state”.

The King said his government would strengthen its work with devolved governments so that the "best outcomes possible" would be delivered to people across the country.

"My government believes that greater devolution of decision making is at the heart of a modern, dynamic economy, and is the key driver of economic growth, and my ministers will introduce an English devolution bill," he said.

The King also confirmed the government will go ahead with plans to “begin the process of repealing and replacing” the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act passed last year under the Conservatives.

The government will also seek to remove the remaining hereditary peers from the House of Lords, while in the Commons the King said a modernisation committee would be tasked with “driving up standards” and improving working practices.

The King said in his speech at the state opening of parliament that his government would bring in a bill to progressively raise the age at which people could buy cigarettes.

“A bill will be introduced to progressively increase the age at which people can buy cigarettes and impose limits on the sale and marketing of vapes," he said.

"My ministers will also legislate to restrict advertising of junk food to children along with the sale of high caffeine energy drinks to children. A draft bill will be brought forward to ban conversion practices."

The King said his government would seek to raise educational standards and "break down barriers to opportunity", scrapping VAT exemption for private schools.

He said: "Measures will be brought forward to remove the exemption from Value Added Tax for private school fees, which will enable the funding of 6,500 new teachers.

"My government will establish Skills England which will have a new partnership with employers at its heart, and my ministers will reform the apprenticeship levy."

The King has said the government will bring train operators into public ownership, prompting growth and wealth creation in the UK.

He also said a bill would be introduced to set up Great British Energy, a publicly-owned clean power company headquartered in Scotland, which will help accelerate investment in renewable energy such as offshore wind.

A bill will also be introduced to support sustainable aviation fuel production.

"My government recognises the need to improve water quality and a bill will be introduced to strengthen the powers of the water regulator," he said

My government is committed to making work pay, and will legislate for a new deal for working people, the King said as he delivered his speech at the state opening of parliament.

"My government is committed to making work pay, and will legislate to introduce a new deal for working people to ban exploitative practices and enhance employment rights," he said.

The Kings has begun his speech, saying that "stability will be the cornerstone of my government's economic policy".

"My government will seek a new partnership with businesses and working people," the King said, stating that the government's objective was to see rising living standards across the country.

The Black Rod, Sarah Clarke, has had the door of the chamber slammed in her face to signal the Commons' independence from the soverreign. She then struck the door three times and was permitted to enter the chamber

The lords stood at the King entered the chamber, as he prepares to give his speech at the state opening of parliament.

The imperial state crown was pictured being carried through the Norman Porch ahead of the state opening of Parliament.

The King is wearing his Admiral of the Fleet Royal Naval Number 1 Dress with cap and sword.

In the robing room at the House of Lords, Charles will put on the imperial state crown and his crimson robe of state, which was made for his grandfather George VI’s coronation in 1937.

The Queen’s famous George IV state diadem was worn countless times by the late Queen Elizabeth II during her reign and was probably the most well recognised of all her pieces of jewellery.

It is composed of four diamond pave-set crosses pattern alternating with four bouquets of rose, shamrock and thistle.

Set with 1,333 brilliant-cut diamonds, it was made for George IV’s extravagant coronation in 1821 and Elizabeth II usually wore it for her journey to and from the state opening.

Camilla will be dressed in her crimson robe of state, which was made for Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953, in the robing Room.

The Princess Royal, who is on a phased return to royal duties after suffering concussion when she was kicked or headbutted by a horse, was not in the carriage procession for this state opening of parliament.

At the last one in November 2023, Anne, in her military uniform as Colonel of the Blues and Royals, acted as gold stick in waiting, and travelled in the state landau in the procession to the Lords.

But this time the duty was performed by Lieutenant General Sir Edward Smyth-Osbourne, Colonel of the Life Guards.

Gold stick in waiting was created because of a conspiracy during the reign of Henry VIII, when the King was supposed to be in danger.

A trusted courtier was ordered to always be by the King’s side, carrying an ebony staff with a gold head. On the Restoration in 1660 this task fell to the Colonel of The Life Guards.

The role of gold stick, now only demonstrated on ceremonial and state occasions, is held jointly by the Colonels of the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals, taking it in turns by monthly rota, both being Regiments of the Household Cavalry of the Household Division.

Wednesday will be the first time in 14 years that Labour has set the agenda for government, writes Beth Rigby for Sky News.

So, for Sir Keir Starmer's new administration, this moment is rich in symbolism and in substance.

It is the chance for his government to exercise its power and show momentum.

Read the full story from Sky News.

The King and Queen have arrived at parliament in the Diamond Jubilee state coach, pulled by six grey horses.

They were accompanied by a sovereign’s escort of the Household Cavalry as they travelled in the carriage procession to the House of Lords.

Camilla is also celebrating her 77th birthday on Wednesday.

She is wearing an off white silk crepe embroidered dress by Fiona Clare, George IV state diadem, a diamond collet necklace, diamond Van Cleef and Arpels earrings and a diamond bracelet.

The black and gilded Diamond Jubilee state coach is the newest in the Royal Mews.

It has shock absorbers to stop it from swaying, and heating, internal lights and power windows.

It was used by the King and Queen on their journey to their coronation in 2023.

King Charles is due to give his King’s Speech today and the Black Rod will be sent from the Lord's Chamber to the Commons to summon MPs for the State Opening of Parliament.

The King’s Speech will mark the official beginning of Keir Starmer’s Labour Government and the sitting of Parliament.

The speech is expected to include around 35 bills, trumping Rishi Sunak’s speech on November 7 which featured only 21 bills, and will outline the new government’s plans.

Read the full story from The National.

The crown regalia – the imperial state crown, the cap of maintenance and the sword of state – has left Buckingham Palace on its way to the House of Lords.

The ancient symbols of royal authority are being ferried in a carriage, Queen Alexandra’s state coach, drawn by four bay horses.

The imperial state crown – the famous symbol of the monarchy – is a working crown and worn by the monarch at state opening of parliament.

It contains 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, five rubies and more than 270 pearls and weighs more than a kilogram.

Among its jewels is the Black Prince’s Ruby – one of the late Queen’s favourite gems – as well as the cullinan II diamond and a large oval sapphire known as the Stuart sapphire.

Charles also wore the priceless crown on his return journey to the palace after his coronation, but he was crowned in the 17th century golden St Edward’s crown.

Ten members of Youth Demand have been arrested in Westminster on suspicion of conspiracy to cause public nuisance after the protest group stated it planned to disrupt the state opening of Parliament.

On social media the Metropolitan Police said: “Last week, Youth Demand said they planned to disrupt the event.

“An hour ago, officers arrested 10 of them in Westminster on suspicion of conspiracy to cause public nuisance.

“A further 20 to 25 have now gathered in Victoria Embankment Gardens and further arrests are being made.”

Last week the group called for supporters to assemble at Victoria Embankment Gardens on Wednesday morning in protest over prime minister Sir Keir Starmer’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war.

Members of the House of Lords have assembled ahead of the King's Speech, which is set to begin at 11.30. Ahead of the speech, the Yeoman of the Guard took part in a ceremonial sweep of the chamber.

Hear about the planning and preparation for the King's Speech procession.

People want to see health and social care put at the heart of the King’s Speech more than any other policy area, polling suggests.

Almost four in 10 UK adults name the NHS as their top priority, according to a survey by Savanta commissioned by the Liberal Democrats and shared with the PA news agency.

Read the full story from PA.

The King’s Speech is a “selling point” for UK tourism, the Commons Speaker said as Parliament gears up for a day of pomp and pageantry.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle said he believes “some of the hottest tickets” in town are for the State Opening of Parliament given the number of dignitaries from around the world who attend.

Read the full story from PA.

A new era in parliament begins today with the King's Speech, giving us the chance to see some of the country's long-standing traditions.

The speech is part of the State Opening of Parliament, which marks the formal start of the parliamentary calendar and brings together the monarchy, the House of Lords and the House of Commons for a bit of pomp and ceremony.

Read the full story from Sky News.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden admitted Labour’s planning reforms “may be controversial in some places” but said the party is “on the side of getting things built more quickly”.

Ahead of the King’s Speech, Mr McFadden told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We were very clear during the election campaign that we would come out of this on the side of getting things built more quickly.

“That may be controversial in some places, I’ve no doubt that it will be.

“But it’s reasonable for people to expect that, if we said that during the campaign, it’s what they see when the King’s Speech is published later today.”

The Labour MP for Wolverhampton South East added: “It’s a big decision for the country.

“If we do nothing on this, we will continue with a situation where there’s a whole generation of young people for whom the aspiration of owning their own home, or sometimes even renting one at a reasonable price, will continue to be unrealisable.”

Labour will “take the brakes off Britain” when it unveils its first King’s Speech on Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer has said.

The new Government is set to present a “packed” legislative agenda focused on improving living standards by driving economic growth, the first of the Prime Minister’s five “missions for national renewal”.

Read the full story from PA.

Pat McFadden, chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, has said Labour does not want to “sacrifice the beautiful parts of our countryside” as it seeks to ramp up building housing and infrastructure.

Ahead of the King’s speech, he told Times Radio: “We live in a green and beautiful country. And what we’re talking about is not some free-for-all where the beautiful parts of the country are all set aside.

“We will have a policy of brownfield first … which should be the priority for development, we’ll always say that.

“But it’s simply a myth to say that there are parts of what we call the green belt that haven’t been built on in recent years. And it’s been done in an uncontrolled way.

“And we don’t want to sacrifice the beautiful parts of our countryside. But we do have to get things built in this country.

“And we were clear about that at the election. And by the way, it’s not just housing. It’s the major infrastructure developments, data centres, labs, development of our ports, the things that we need to get the economy moving.”

The State Opening of Parliament and the King’s Speech marks the formal start of the parliamentary calendar.

It is when the monarch will lay out the new government's policy priorities for the year.

The Evening Standard breaks down the full timings.

The King is to deliver the second King’s Speech of his reign at the State Opening of Parliament.

Charles, fresh from a busy two-day official visit to the Channel Islands, will wear his Imperial State Crown and don royal robes for the ancient occasion full of pomp and ceremony.

His appearance comes despite his treatment for cancer during a challenging year when his daughter-in-law the Princess of Wales was also diagnosed with the disease.

It is the monarch’s duty as head of state to formally open each new session of Parliament amid tradition and customs dating back centuries.

The 75-year-old sovereign will be accompanied by the Queen – who is celebrating her 77th birthday and also nursing a sprained ankle – in a carriage procession from Buckingham Palace to the House of Lords.

Read more about how the day will unfold here