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The government has promised to deliver higher economic growth “in every community” as it unveiled its plans in the King’s Speech.<\/b><\/p>\n
At the heart of its push for growth are changes to the planning system, aimed at making it easier to build housing and infrastructure.<\/p>\n
Proposals to give local leaders more powers and bring the railways into public ownership are also among the 39 bills set out. <\/p>\n
Some proposed legislation, first introduced by the last government, have been revived including Rishi Sunak’s gradual smoking ban and the introduction of a football regulator.<\/p>\n
There was no mention of scrapping the two-child benefit cap – which some Labour MPs and the SNP have been pushing for – or the introduction of votes for 16 and 17-year-olds, something promised in Labour’s manifesto. <\/p>\n
The speech was delivered by King Charles III – accompanied by the traditional pageantry – but written by the new Labour government, elected on 4 July with a big majority of 174.<\/p>\n
“Rebuilding our country will not happen overnight,” Sir Keir Starmer said in the introduction to the speech. <\/p>\n
“The challenges we face require determined, patient work and serious solutions, rather than the temptation of the easy answer.<\/p>\n
“The snake oil charm of populism may sound seductive, but it drives us into the dead end of further division and greater disappointment.”<\/p>\n
Following the King\u2019s Speech, Conservative leader Rishi Sunak said his party would not oppose the government \u201cfor the sake of it\u201d but would hold it to account on its election promises.<\/p>\n
On Labour\u2019s proposed changes to planning rules, he said everyone wanted to see the process speeded up but warned that \u201ca system that does not allow local people to have a say will damage public consent for more housing in the long term\u201d.<\/p>\n
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper welcomed a promise to reform the Mental Health Act but said she wanted to see more ambition on health and social care. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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During the election campaign, the think tank, the Institute for Fiscal Studies, warned that the future government would have to choose between raising taxes, cutting public services or borrowing more.<\/p>\n
Labour hopes to be able to avoid these politically unpalatable options by boosting growth, which has been sluggish for several years.<\/p>\n
The King’s 12 minute speech was littered with phrases such as “securing economic growth”, “a key driver of economic growth” and “local growth plans”. <\/p>\n
In the government’s briefing notes, it argued that one of the “major brakes” on economic growth has been the current planning regime and used the King’s Speech to introduce its Planning and Infrastructure Bill.<\/p>\n
The bill, which will apply to England, Wales and, in parts, to Scotland aims to accelerate the building of homes and infrastructure.<\/p>\n
Given Labour’s hefty majority in the House of Commons, the bill is likely to get through Parliament.<\/p>\n
However, it could face vigorous opposition from the local communities affected by new building projects.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n