The government has set out its legislative agenda for the next year in the King’s Speech.
The announcements focus on three priorities – growing the economy, strengthening society and keeping people safe.
Here, Sky News looks at each bill included in the speech, and what it aims to deliver.
Reaction as King sets out PM’s legislative agenda – follow live
Growing the economy
Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill
This will support the future licensing of new oil and gas fields, in a move the government says will enhance the UK’s energy security, but which has been criticised by green campaigners.
Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill
This will “secure benefits of Brexit” by enabling the UK’s formal accession to an Indo-Pacific trade bloc of 11 nations, including Australia and Japan, after it signed an agreement to do so earlier this year.
Automated Vehicles Bill
A new legal framework to enable self-driving cars to be used on Britain’s roads.
Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill
Aims to make it harder for firms to trap people in unwanted subscription contracts, take action against fake reviews and drip pricing, and increase competition between big tech firms.
Data Protection and Digital Information Bill
This aims to update the UK’s data protection laws post-Brexit and strengthen the regulator.
Media Bill
A bill to “support the creative industries and protect public interest journalism”. This includes repealing a law requiring media outlets to pay all legal costs in libel cases, regardless of who won.
Arbitration Bill
This bill seeks to modernise the law on dispute resolutions known as arbitration – which take place outside of the courts, including allowing arbitrators to kick out baseless claims quickly and strengthening the courts’ supporting powers.
Draft Rail Reform Bill
This is a draft bill to create a new public sector body, Great British Railways (GBR), aimed at reforming the rail sector. Being in draft form means it is unlikely the legislation will make it on to the statute books in this parliamentary session, or before the next general election.
Strengthening society
Tobacco and Vapes Bill
This aims to introduce a “smoke-free generation” by stopping children turning 14 this year or younger from ever legally buying cigarettes in England. Also aims to crack down on vaping among youngsters.
Leasehold and Freehold Bill
Brings forward long-awaited plans for leasehold reform, including capping ground rents and extending the length of leases from 90 to 990 years. But the proposals have been watered down, with new flats excluded from the plan to phase out leaseholds on new properties.
Renters (Reform) Bill
Carried over from the last parliament, this bill aimed at strengthening renters’ rights includes a long-awaited ban on “no-fault” evictions – but only after stronger possession grounds for landlords and a new court process are in place. It also strengthens powers to evict anti-social tenants and ends a blanket ban on pets.
Football Governance Bill
Legislation to safeguard the future of football clubs for the benefit of communities and fans. This includes the establishment of a new independent football regulator, with the body set to have powers to step in and resolve how money flows from the Premier League down the pyramid.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Pedicabs (London) Bill
Enables Transport for London to introduce fare controls and a licensing regime for pedicabs – the only form of unregulated transport on the capital’s roads – and bar them from congested areas.
Holocaust Memorial Bill
This will progress the construction of a national Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in Victoria Tower Gardens.
Animal Welfare (Live Stock Exports) Bill
Mentioned in explanatory notes of the speech, but not the speech itself, this is a ban on the live export of livestock for slaughter and fattening. The government promised to keep this after the flagship animal welfare bill, which was wider in scope, was dropped. The new bill does not include measures to outlaw the importation of hunting trophies, as promised in the 2019 Tory manifesto.
Economic Activities of Public Bodies Bill
A bill “to ban public bodies from implementing their own politically motivated boycotts of foreign countries”.
More on this story:
Hard to see how Sunak’s first King’s Speech won’t be his last
Keeping people safe
Sentencing Bill
Aims to ensure dangerous offenders are locked up for longer and rapists and sex offenders service their full sentences. Short sentences will also be reformed to help low-level offenders rehabilitate.
Criminal Justice Bill
Forces criminals to attend their sentencing hearings; gives police powers to enter a property without a court warrant to seize stolen goods; criminalises the sharing of intimate images and allows the transfer of prisoners in and out of England and Wales to serve their sentence abroad.
Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill
Security and intelligence services will be handed powers “they need” and “will strengthen independent judicial oversight”.
Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill
Also known as Martyn’s Law, the bill requires venues to take steps to be better prepared to respond if there is a terrorist attack.
Victims and Prisoners Bill
This will give ministers the power to stop the parole of the worst offenders and prevent them getting married. It will also see creation of Independent Public Advocate to support victims of major disasters like Hillsborough.
