King Charles III delivered the 2026 King's Speech, outlining 37 new bills that the Labour government intends to pass, ranging from police reform and leasehold changes to an asylum clampdown. The speech came as Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure over his leadership, with rumours that Health Secretary Wes Streeting may launch a challenge.
Key Bills Announced
1. Immigration and Asylum Bill
The new Immigration and Asylum Bill will implement Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's proposals, making it harder to appeal refusals, simplifying decision-making, and scaling up removals of those with no legal right to remain. It will also tighten the application of the European Convention on Human Rights and reform modern slavery legislation.
2. Police Reform Bill ('British FBI')
Building on January's policing reforms, the bill will reduce the number of police forces and create a National Police Service (NPS) to tackle organised crime and terrorism, freeing local forces to focus on community issues.
3. Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill
This bill bans leasehold for new flats, increases rights for extending leases and buying freeholds, and caps ground rent at £250, marking "the beginning of the end for the feudal leasehold system."
4. Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill
British Steel will be nationalised to secure jobs and boost growth, following the government's takeover of its Scunthorpe works last year. The bill sets out a long-term Steel Strategy.
5. NHS Modernisation Bill
This bill abolishes NHS England, streamlining the health service. Responsibility for health spending will shift to ministers and local health boards, and a single electronic patient record will be created.
6. European Partnership Bill
The bill aims to improve UK-EU trade relations with deals on electricity, emissions, food, and drink, potentially adding £5.1 billion annually from food and drink alone.
7. Remediation Bill
Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, this bill orders the fixing of buildings with unsafe cladding and provides support to leaseholders and residents.
8. Water Regulation Reform
Ofwat will be replaced by a new single regulator to tackle pollution and cap household bills in England.
9. Tourism Tax
Mayors will be able to set an overnight levy on hotels and B&Bs, with revenue reinvested in local areas.
10. Hillsborough Law (Public Office Accountability Bill)
This bill introduces a duty of candour for public servants, requiring them to tell the truth. It applies to all public bodies, including security services.
11. Energy Independence Bill
The bill aims to end UK reliance on fossil fuels, giving ministers more power to tackle rising energy prices and speed up clean energy technologies.
12. Social Housing Renewal Bill
This bill increases long-term investment in social housing, protects stock, improves protections for domestic abuse victims, and reduces bureaucracy.
13. Education for All Bill
Raising school standards and reforming the SEND system, this bill provides early support for children with special needs and makes mainstream settings more inclusive.
14. Representation of the People Bill
Election reforms include lowering the voting age to 16, broadening acceptable ID (e.g., bank cards), and tightening rules on political donations.
15. Northern Powerhouse Rail Bill
Up to £45 billion will be invested in improving rail services between Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, and York, with new routes and electrification.
16. Small Business Protections (Late Payments) Bill
This bill imposes a maximum 60-day payment term, mandatory 8% interest on late payments, and new powers for the Small Business Commissioner.
17. Clean Water Bill
A new Water Ombudsman and an integrated regulator will be created to tackle pollution and strengthen drinking water protection.
18. Conversion Practices Bill
Abusive conversion therapy aimed at changing sexual orientation or gender identity will be banned under this draft bill.
19. Ticket Tout Ban Bill
This draft bill makes it illegal to resell tickets for live events above face value, caps service fees, and empowers the CMA to impose fines.
20. Competition Reform
The government will give the CMA new powers to speed up market reviews and mergers, promoting competition.
21. Regulating for Growth Bill
Regulators will be required to prioritise growth, allowing faster testing of new products and technologies.
22. Sporting Events Bill
This bill establishes a framework for hosting major events like EURO 2028, coordinating transport and meeting commitments.
23. Enhancing Financial Services Bill
Modernising financial regulation to help businesses grow and boost consumer protections.
24. Highways (Financing) Bill
Creating a new way to fund large-scale road schemes to transform transport.
25. Sovereign Grant Bill
Reduces the Sovereign Grant after the Buckingham Palace renovation concludes.
26. Digital Access Services Bill
Establishes a legal framework for Digital ID, including Digital Right to Work checks.
27. Removal of Peerages Bill
Introduces a mechanism to remove peerages from disgraced peers, following the Peter Mandelson case.
28. Civil Aviation Bill
Unlocks benefits of airport expansion, attracting investment and boosting tourism, with updated slot regulations.
29. Taxi and Private Vehicle Hire Bill
Replaces Victorian-era rules with a single framework for safer, fairer travel.
30. Railways and Passenger Bill
Establishes Great British Railways, a publicly owned company, and a Passenger Watchdog to set standards.
31. Northern Ireland Troubles Bill
Addresses legacy issues from the Troubles, providing protections for veterans and enabling families to get answers.
32. Courts Modernisation Bill
Limits jury trials to cases with sentences of three years or more, aiming to cut the court backlog.
33. Nuclear Regulation
Promises a "new era of nuclear" for safe, reliable, clean power.
34. Tackling State Threats Bill
Gives the Home Secretary powers to clamp down on foreign states and proxy organisations threatening national security.
35. Armed Forces Bill
Establishes the Defence Housing Service, expands reserves, and extends the Armed Forces Covenant Legal Duty.
36. National Security Bill
Creates new offences for cyberstrikes, violent material glorification, and mass casualty attack planning, updating the Computer Misuse Act.
37. Electricity Generator Levy Bill
Increases levy on generators to capture exceptional revenue from gas price spikes, supporting households and businesses.
