In Focus
This briefing looks at measures announced by the government in the last session relating to transport, including those in the 2022 Queen’s Speech such as creating a new entity to oversee the railways and creating a regulatory framework for self-driving and remotely operated cars. The government has also said it intends to address pavement parking and e-scooters and to redistribute money intended for phase 2 of HS2.
In Focus
This briefing considers the current economic situation ahead of the 2023 King’s Speech. It also covers other economy, business and trade-related measures that the government has indicated it may pursue. Such measures include regulatory reform, reforming the way in which building societies can fund themselves, and legislation to implement specific areas of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in UK domestic law.
In Focus
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said “strengthening the Union and delivering for all people and communities across the UK” is a “priority” for the UK government. Mr Sunak said his government’s approach to devolution was to “drive forward cross-government efforts towards delivering tangible improvements”. This briefing discusses some of the key issues in devolved affairs that may be addressed in the forthcoming parliamentary session.
In Focus
The King’s Speech is set to take place on 7 November 2023. This briefing considers the possible measures the government may announce relating to levelling up, housing and communities. This includes introducing legislation to reform the leasehold system. In addition, carry-over motions agreed in the previous parliamentary session will see the continuation of the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill, Holocaust Memorial Bill and Renters (Reform) Bill.
In Focus
This briefing explores what home affairs related announcements the government could make in the King’s Speech on 7 November 2023. It includes information on potential new offences, new powers for the dismissal of police officers and possible changes to community safety partnerships. It also looks at potential legislation relating to modern slavery and a Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Draft Bill.
In Focus
The King’s Speech is scheduled to be delivered on 7 November 2023. The speech will set out the government’s legislative and policy programme for the new parliamentary session. This briefing provides a summary of legislative announcements and policy proposals on crime and justice that may become the subject of legislation during the 2023–24 session. This includes information on the Victims and Prisoners Bill and policy announcements on criminal justice sentencing.
In Focus
After announcing it would not be progressing the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, first introduced in the 2021–22 session, the government has committed to take animal welfare measures forward as single bills, including proposals on pet abduction. The government also intends to use secondary legislation to end the keeping of primates as pets and ban American XL bully dogs. On the natural environment, consultations are being held on hedgerows and water quality.
In Focus
The government has committed to reducing the UK’s carbon emissions and household energy costs while increasing energy security. In September 2023, the government announced it would be pushing back some of its previously announced net zero related deadlines, including those for the transition to electric vehicles and the phasing out of fossil fuel boilers for off-gas-grid homes. This briefing provides a summary of the government’s recent announcements.
In Focus
There have been a number of high-profile announcements regarding education in the last year, such as proposed changes to A-levels and T-levels announced in October 2023. However, it is unclear when these measures will be introduced. Elements of the Schools Bill, abandoned during the 2022–23 parliamentary session, will likely be included in the 2023 King’s Speech. Notably, the government has indicated it intends to introduce a register of children not in school.
In Focus
The government will set out its legislative programme for the new parliamentary session in the King’s Speech set to be delivered on 7 November 2023. The speech and accompanying briefing notes are expected to detail certain health and social care-related initiatives, including measures to restrict the sale of tobacco products to young people and a draft Conversion Therapy Bill for pre-legislative scrutiny in the new session.
In Focus
This year’s King’s Speech will take place at a particular volatile time in global affairs. The crisis in Gaza, war in Ukraine, and the wider diplomatic challenges associated by the actions of nations such as China continue to occupy the international agenda. At the same time, the UK has reorientated its defence priorities to take account of the shifting global environment and the changing nature of global threats. This briefing examines a range of those issues before the King addresses Parliament on 7 November 2023.
In Focus
In response to several high-profile offenders refusing to attend their sentencing hearings, the government has announced new powers for judges and prison officers to enable some offenders to be forced to do so. While this announcement has been widely welcomed, concerns have also been raised about the practicalities of the policy. This briefing explores the background to the decision as well as some of the responses it has received.
In Focus
For centuries it has been custom for the monarch to deliver a speech at the state opening of Parliament. It is formally known as the ‘speech from the throne’. King Charles III will deliver his first speech as sovereign on 7 November 2023. This briefing discusses how the custom developed and looks at some of the themes in previous first state opening speeches.
In Focus
The current crisis in the Middle East began on 7 October 2023 when Hamas militants launched a series of surprise cross-border attacks on Israeli territory from Gaza, killing defence personnel and civilians and taking hostages. Since then, Israel has struck back with airstrikes on Gaza and has cut off supplies of food, energy and water to the enclave ahead of an anticipated ground invasion. This in turn has led to concern over civilian casualties and the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Diplomatic efforts to prevent the crisis from worsening further are ongoing.
In Focus
Ultra-processed foods have undergone a high degree of industrial processing and are typically high in calories, salt, saturated fat and sugar. Studies have linked these foods to obesity and other health risks. The government has expressed its concern over these potential links but has stated that the underlying causes are not yet fully understood. Therefore, government policy has focused on reducing the consumption of foods high in salt, saturated fat and sugar.
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