In a historic moment, King Charles III delivered the first King’s Speech in over 70 years, presenting Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s legislative agenda for the upcoming parliamentary session. The grand occasion took place at the Palace of Westminster, where King Charles arrived alongside Queen Camilla. The last parliamentary session commenced in May 2022 when Boris Johnson was the Prime Minister, and Queen Elizabeth II was on the throne.
In his address to the House of Lords, King Charles III articulated the government’s plan for the new parliamentary session, emphasizing the need for challenging yet essential long-term decisions to transform the United Kingdom for the better.
“It is with a deep sense of duty and in honor of my beloved mother, the late Queen, that I stand before you to deliver this historic King’s Speech, the first in more than seven decades. The enduring challenges posed by the impact of the pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine have necessitated profound and lasting changes for our country. Therefore, my government’s foremost priority is to make the tough but imperative choices required to shape a brighter future for our nation,” King Charles declared in his prepared remarks.
Addressing the issue of inflation, King Charles expressed the government’s commitment to focus on enhancing economic growth and ensuring the well-being and security of the British people for generations to come. The monarch reiterated the government’s commitment to lowering inflation and alleviating the cost of living for families, thereby promoting job creation and investment in businesses. He further affirmed that the government would work closely with the Bank of England to steer inflation back to its target levels through prudent decisions on expenditure and borrowing. These measures are aimed at enhancing household finances, reducing public sector debt, and safeguarding the nation’s financial stability.
In the realm of education, King Charles stressed the government’s dedication to strengthening the education system for the long term. He disclosed that measures would be implemented to equip young individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary for success. These plans include the introduction of the Advanced British Standard, which amalgamates technical and academic pathways into a unified qualification.
Regarding housing reforms, the King mentioned that the government would introduce a bill to revamp the housing market, making it more affordable and accessible for leaseholders to acquire their freeholds. The legislation will also address the issue of punitive service charges that have burdened millions of homeowners. As part of these reforms, the standard lease extension term will be extended from 90 years to 990 years for both houses and flats, with ground rent reduced to £0. Additionally, the government will eliminate the requirement for new leaseholders to have owned their property for two years before enjoying these benefits.
King Charles III’s King’s Speech has set a profound and ambitious agenda, emphasizing the government’s commitment to addressing pressing issues and creating a brighter future for the United Kingdom.
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