King’s Speech – live: New laws on oil, smoking and football as Charles III makes first State Opening

Seven pieces of legislation will be carried over into the next parliamentary session

King Charles and Camila meet officials on state visit to Kenya

A raft of new laws – including measures on oil and gas licences, the establishment of a new football regulator, and moves to phase out cigarette smoking – have been included in the King’s Speech.

The proposed legislation was announced by King Charles III as he addressed Parliament in his first State Opening, as the monarch set out Rishi Sunak’s government’s policy agenda for the year ahead.

It is the first such speech King Charles III has made since assuming the throne last year. It is also the first of Mr Sunak’s tenure in No 10 – and most likely the last prior to an expected general election next year.

The speech revealed Mr Sunak’s plans to make law and order a key election battleground, with a series of measures promising tougher sentences for killers and rapists.

Mr Sunak has also introduced new legislation to expand the use of self-driving vehicles – which clear the way for buses and lorries to operate autonomously by the end of the decade.

Key points

• King’s Speech: What policies made it in and what’s been removed?
• Impact of the King’s Speech will last until the next century, Rishi Sunak claims
• Suella Braverman plan to stop tents for homeless people junked from Kings Speech by No 10
• Sunak has left LGBT+ community ‘at the mercy of bigots and quacks’, says Tory MP

[7 November 2023 11:00 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

[7 November 2023 11:13 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

Watch: King Charles leaves Buckingham Palace for State Opening of Parliament

[7 November 2023 11:25 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

Watch: King and Queen enter Palace of Westminster for State Opening of Parliament

[7 November 2023 11:29 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

In pictures: King and Queen arrive at Palace of Westminster

(PA)

(AP)

[7 November 2023 11:30 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

King Charles III enters House of Lords

The King has entered the House of Lords wearing his ceremonial robes.

The speech is due to start imminently.

[7 November 2023 11:33 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

Black Rod explained

Members of Parliament are summoned by Black Rod, an official position currently held by British ambassador Sarah Clarke, who is the first female holder of the role in its 650-year history.

Before entering into the chamber, the Black Rod has the door shut in her face, symbolising the chamber’s independence from the monarchy.

The Black Rod struck the door three times before it is opened.

[7 November 2023 11:36 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

King begins his speech by remembering his late mother

The King is now delivering his speech as he begins by remembering his mother, the late Queen.

[7 November 2023 11:38 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

The King announced: “My ministers’ focus is on increasing economic growth and safeguarding the health and security of the British people for generations to come.

“My Government will continue to take action to bring down inflation, to ease the cost of living for families and help businesses fund new jobs and investment.

“My ministers will support the Bank of England to return inflation to target by taking responsible decisions on spending and borrowing. These decisions will help household finances, reduce public sector debt, and safeguard the financial security of the country.”

[7 November 2023 11:39 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

The King continued: “The impact of Covid and the war in Ukraine have created significant long-term challenges for the United Kingdom.

“That is why my Government’s priority is to make the difficult but necessary long-term decisions to change this country for the better.”

He said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s administration was focused on “increasing economic growth and safeguarding the health and security of the British people for generations to come”.

The Government would “continue to take action to bring down inflation” and support the Bank of England in that goal by taking “responsible decisions on spending and borrowing”.

[7 November 2023 11:40 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

King’s Speech reveals plan for annual oil and gas licences

King Charles – a keen environmentalist – has confirmed Rishi Sunak’s plan to mandate for annual oil and gas licenses – despite outrage from environmentalists.

The monarch said the bill was aimed at “helping the country to transition to net zero by 2050 without adding undue burdens on households”.

Pitched as necessary for energy security, the bill will require the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) to invite applications for new production licences every year.

The heavily-trailed move has already sparked outrage from climate campaigners and has already been met with scepticism from Labour – which has committed to not allowing any more exploration licences in oil and gas.