Stuart Anderson MP has welcomed the King’s Speech, which sets out the core measures that the Government will take over the next year to grow the economy, strengthen society, and keep people safe. Delivered on Tuesday 7th November at the State Opening of Parliament, it was King Charles’ first speech since his coronation and outlined the Government’s ambitions for the next session of Parliament.
Stuart welcomed measures to improve infrastructure and connectivity in the area, including by putting into law the list of schemes being funded with the money freed up from cancelled HS2 Phase II by re-investing every penny into hundreds of new projects. This will deliver faster and more reliable journeys across the country. The Government will also bring forward minimum service level regulations for rail, ambulance, and border security staff to ensure everyone is able to travel to see their friends and family, or to get the emergency care that they need over the Christmas period and beyond. Meanwhile, a new Leasehold and Freehold Bill will make it easier and cheaper for leaseholders to extend their lease or to buy their freehold, as well as increase the standard lease extension term from 90 to 990 years – putting an end to homeowners facing large maintenance bills and legal fees.
Stuart added that the measures would also deliver increased public safety. A Sentencing Bill will ensure the worst offenders are kept behind bars for longer, while judges will be given more powers to make sure all criminals attend court to hear first-hand how their crimes have devastated lives. If offenders still refuse, they will face a further two years in prison. In light of events such as the Manchester Arena attack, the Government will introduce a new duty on venues to take steps to improve public safety in the face of the threat posed by terrorism.
Stuart also welcomed plans to create the first smokefree generation, by bringing forward legislation that will raise the smoking age by one year every year. It will mean that children turning 14 this year or younger will never be legally sold tobacco products. Alongside this, the Government will restrict the sale and marketing of e-cigarettes to children – accompanied by £70 million extra per year to fund stop smoking services and £5 million this year and then £15 million per year thereafter to fund national stop smoking marketing campaigns. To ensure young people have the knowledge and skills to succeed in life, the Advanced British Standard will bring technical and academic routes into a single qualification.
In addition, the Government committed to delivering on the Football Governance White Paper which will provide football fans with strong legal protections to prevent damage to the most important aspects of their clubs. It will establish a new independent football regulator to protect clubs’ heritage, while introducing more stringent tests for the owners and directors of clubs and powers to stop clubs joining breakaway leagues. The Speech also outlined steps to make the UK more energy independent by legislating for regular, annual oil and gas licensing – with emissions tests to ensure that future oil and gas licensing supports the transition to net zero. This will safeguard 100,000s of jobs and enable the UK to reach Net Zero targets in a proportionate and pragmatic way. In addition, a new law will end live exports of animals for slaughter and fattening, thereby boosting animal welfare standards.
Stuart Anderson MP said: “I welcome the measures that have been outlined in the King’s Speech today. Together, they will help to grow the economy, strengthen society, and keep people safe – with a broad range of measures to increase our energy security and independence and protect the health of our young people, while delivering tougher sentencing for the worst offenders and better support for victims of crimes. These reforms will help to deliver on my plan for Wolverhampton South West by creating a better and brighter future for everyone. Combined, they demonstrate that we are ambitious in what we want to achieve for Britain and we are taking the right long-term decisions to safeguard the future prosperity of our country.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “Today marked the first King’s Speech in over seventy years, bringing forward our plan to build a better future for the next seventy. Just as I have done with energy security, net zero, illegal migration and HS2, the King’s Speech takes the long-term decisions to address the challenges this country faces, not the easy way out with short-term gimmicks. As we take the necessary steps to halve inflation and reduce debt, we will legislate to grow the economy, by supporting innovative businesses and protecting consumers. To make the real change this country needs, we will bring forward bills that strengthen our society, help people feel safer in their own communities and give a sense of pride in the place they call home.”