The UK government has announced its new legislative agenda, which places a strong emphasis on growing the economy, ensuring energy independence, and securing the benefits of Brexit. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s office has stated that the agenda will also focus on creating a competitive environment for businesses to capitalize on new technologies.
This year’s agenda will be unveiled in the traditional monarch’s speech to parliament on Tuesday. Notably, it will be the first King’s Speech in 70 years following the passing of Queen Elizabeth in September 2021.
Sunak hopes that the launch of the final legislative session before the expected election next year will provide his government with positive momentum as they seek to close the considerable lead held by the opposition Labour party in opinion polls.
The Prime Minister’s office has emphasized the government’s commitment to long-term decision-making that addresses the challenges facing the country. Sunak stated that the King’s Speech will focus on measures to support innovative businesses, protect consumers, halve inflation, and reduce debt.
One of the key infrastructure projects, the High Speed 2 (HS2) railway, is aimed at promoting economic growth across Britain. However, it has faced numerous delays and escalating costs. Last month, Sunak canceled part of the planned line to Manchester.
While Sunak argues that Brexit has not been a failure, opinion polls conducted seven years after the referendum show that a majority of the public regret the decision. The Bank of England recently stated that the economy is at risk of entering a recession and will experience minimal growth in the coming years, although economists consider Brexit to be just one of the contributing factors.
The upcoming King’s Speech will also include measures aimed at strengthening society and enhancing community safety. Seven bills from the previous session will be carried over for completion, including those focused on modernizing regulations for digital markets, competition, consumers, and data protection.
Earlier this week, Sunak hosted the inaugural AI Safety Summit, which explored the containment of risks associated with artificial intelligence.
The King’s Speech will precede the Autumn Statement by Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt on November 22.
In summary, the UK government’s new legislative agenda aims to prioritize economic growth, energy independence, and maximizing the benefits of Brexit. It also seeks to support businesses in leveraging new technologies while addressing societal concerns and enhancing safety. The upcoming King’s Speech will outline the government’s plans, building on its commitment to long-term decision-making and addressing the challenges faced by the country.
