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
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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.
Sunak says Tory MP rape allegation complainant should ‘go to the police’
More than a hundred British citizens have left Gaza, say No 10
More than a hundred British citizens have left Gaza through the Rafah crossing so far, Downing Street said.
No 10 did not without confirm how many more are trapped inside the territory.
The prime minister’s official spokesman told reporters: “It’s more than a hundred who have made it through the crossing.
“We are in contact with those who still remain, the British nationals who still remain in Gaza to update on the latest information we have.
“And we’ve got UK teams forward-deployed to receive those as they do make it through.
“I don’t have an update on the Rafah crossing as of right now, but obviously it’s disappointing it has been closed recently. It is obviously a complex situation and we will use all diplomatic options available to us to press for its reopening in co-ordination with our partners.”
Some 200 British nationals and their dependents were registered with the authorities to leave Gaza, meaning around half have made it out.
Rishi Sunak shares thoughts on homelessness
Energy secretary admits Rishi Sunak’s north sea oil expansion plans ‘won’t bring bills down’
The energy secretary has admitted that Rishi Sunak’s flagship energy policy will not bring household bills down.
Claire Coutinho was quizzed about the government’s plans to expand North Sea oil and gas exploration expected to be announced in the King’s Speech tomorrow.
The prime minister will declare the drive, which would invite annual applications for new licences to drill for oil and gas, will protect jobs and boost energy security “without adding undue burdens on households”.
Energy secretary admits Sunak’s north sea oil expansion ‘won’t bring bills down’
The energy secretary has admitted that Rishi Sunak’s flagship energy policy will not bring household bills down.
Reasons for homelessness are ‘complex’, say No 10
A spokesman for Rishi Sunak could not say whether the government had evidence to back up the Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s claim that some people are rough sleeping as a “lifestyle choice”.
“The reasons are complex, I think mental health and addiction are drivers of homelessness,” he said.
Asked if the prime minister ever gets tired of having to defend Ms Braverman, he said: “The Prime Minister continues to work closely with the Home Secretary, not least on this issue of protests... and of course on small boats.”
Tory minister distances herself from Suella Braverman’s comment on rough sleeping
Majority of Tory members want Nigel Farage back in the party, poll reveals
More than seven in 10 Tory members want Nigel Farage to be readmitted to the party, a poll has revealed.
The former Brexit Party leader’s popularity among the Conservative grassroots is laid bare in the Conservative Home survey, which shows the rank and file overwhelmingly back his membership.
Mr Farage quit the Conservative Party in 1992 after John Major signed the Maastricht Treaty, but has increasingly hinted at a return, even joking he would be surprised if he wasn’t Tory leader by 2026.
Most Tory members want Nigel Farage back in the party, poll reveals
Former Brexit Party leader recently said he would be surprised if he wasn’t Tory leader by 2026
Suella Braverman under fire after vowing crackdown on tents and claiming rough sleeping is ‘lifestyle choice’
Suella Braverman has prompted outrage after she vowed a crackdown on tents used by the homeless and described rough sleeping as a “lifestyle choice”.
The home secretary claimed streets risked being “taken over” and that without action British cities would see “an explosion of crime, drug taking, and squalor”.
She added that many of those living in tents were “from abroad”. Those who were genuinely homeless would always be supported, she said.
Suella Braverman under fire after claiming rough sleeping is ‘lifestyle choice’
The home secretary is accused of ‘grim’ and ‘disgraceful’ politics
Boris Johnson referred to Treasury as ‘pro-death squad’, Covid inquiry hears
Boris Johnson referred to the Treasury as the “pro-death squad” during the pandemic, the UK Covid-19 Inquiry has heard.
The former prime minister reportedly used the phrase at a meeting in January 2021 when he wanted the ministry to back him in arguing for a path to eased restrictions.
Giving evidence to the inquiry on Monday, Mr Johnson’s pandemic-era deputy principal private secretary, Stuart Glassborow, said he did not recall hearing the term.
Reading from former chief scientific adviser to the Government Sir Patrick Vallance’s diary, where the phrase was noted, Mr Keating went on: “There is an entry... at meeting on 25 January 2021 the PM is recorded saying he wants Tier 3 March 1, Tier 2 April 1, Tier 1 May 1 and nothing by September.
“And he ends it by saying the team must bring in the pro-death squad from HMT”.
“I think (this) refers to a meeting from a couple of years ago. I don’t recall that specific phrase,” Mr Glassborow said.
“I see that this is from Patrick’s notebook. I wouldn’t dispute what he’s recorded, but I don’t recall the phrase at all.”
Sunak says Tory MP rape allegation complainant should ‘go to the police’
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