What do we want from the King’s Speech?

October 16, 2023

What do we want from the King’s Speech?’ sets out an ambitious programme of 14 new laws that the Government should announce in the King’s Speech – for what will be the last Parliamentary Session before the general election. Proposals put forward by Policy Exchange include:

Regaining the initiative on housing, with bold plans to speed up the planning process, abolish leasehold and place local consent at the heart of plans.
Tackling the surge in shop-lifting with tough new minimum sentences for repeat offenders and creating a new offence of aggravated begging.
Digitising the NHS with a new Digital Health and Care bill – and get energy bills down by reforming the planning system for the electricity grid.
Capping the number of people going to university each year – and reinvesting the money in a Skills Tax Credit to help British business train in the skills we need to grow.
Standing up to radical gender ideology in schools by creating a new absolute right for parents to see what is being taught to their children – and letting them go to court if necessary to force schools to stop teaching age inappropriate or politically biased material.
Protecting the constitution by ensuring any attempt to change the voting system or lower the voting age must be approved by the British people in a referendum. This would stop a future government lowering the voting age to 16, or introducing proportional representation, without a referendum.

Collectively, the proposals comprise an ambitious agenda to strengthen Britain’s economy, improve our public services, strengthen public order and safeguard our constitution.

"Policy Exchange's proposed Housing and Planning Bill would expedite the delivery of badly needed housing and infrastructure in a material way. Adopting it would get the Government back on the front foot when it comes to perhaps the most significant public policy challenge facing our country today."

"Parents should have an absolute right to know what is being taught to their children - and no child should be socially transitioned behind their parents' back. That is why I introduced a Private Members Bill on this subject earlier this year - and why I am backing Policy Exchange's support for a Parental Right to Know Bill in the King's Speech."

“UK businesses from the smallest to the largest are constantly telling policy makers that energy costs and the burden of regulation is inhibiting their ability to grow. Policy Exchange’s proposals for the King’s Speech will not only materially address both these growth barriers, but ease the cost of living for households up and down the country.”

"I am supportive of the idea of a Digital Health and Care Bill. As Policy Exchange note, legislation can provide clarity and assurance over the over the use of health and care data to support research and improved planning of services. Legislation could also help to clarify our approach to the regulation and procurement of new digital health tools. The Government should consider the suggested provisions here carefully. There is a real opportunity to transform our approach to enhance the effectiveness and productivity of the NHS for good – it should be grasped."

“Here is a plan that puts the British people at the heart of the government’s thinking. This final session must demonstrate that we understand the problems that face our people and have the initiatives and commitment to find the right long term solutions. Policy Exchange’s report offers a valuable way forward.”