King Charles Outlines 37 Bills in Speech to Lords Amid Starmer Leadership Speculation

King Charles outlined the government's legislative agenda for the coming year in a speech to the House of Lords.

The address summarized 37 bills that ministers aim to pass in the next session, including eight measures previously introduced to Parliament. The event drew attention away from leadership speculation surrounding Sir Keir Starmer.

On economy and business, the Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill grants ministers powers to nationalize British Steel, pending a public interest test. The European Partnership Bill offers new authority to expedite laws for planned EU agreements. The Regulating for Growth Bill enables pilot schemes in defence technology and AI-controlled ships. The Competition Reform Bill speeds up regulator reviews, while the Enhancing Financial Services Bill cuts compliance costs in finance. The Small Business Protections (Late Payments) Bill raises penalty interest for late supplier payments.

In housing, the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill bans leasehold for new flats in England and Wales and limits ground rents to £250 yearly. The Social Housing Renewal Bill spares new social homes in England from Right to Buy for 35 years and adds protections for domestic abuse victims to remain in their properties. A Remediation Bill requires construction product makers to fund removal of unsafe cladding.

For transport, the Railways and Passenger Benefits Bill sets up a watchdog for passenger rights and merges 14 operator websites. A draft Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Bill creates a national database of licensed vehicles to boost safety. The Highways (Financing) Bill applies nuclear project funding to new England roads. The Northern Powerhouse Rail Bill, renamed from an HS2 measure, proposes a rail line from Manchester to Hull via Manchester Airport. The Civil Aviation Bill adds controls on airport slots to aid expansion.

Crime and policing measures include a Police Reform Bill for larger forces in England and Wales plus a national unit for serious crimes. The Courts Modernisation Bill scales back jury trials.

The Immigration and Asylum Bill eases revocation of refugee status and limits taxpayer aid to asylum seekers.

Health plans feature an NHS Modernisation Bill to eliminate the body running NHS England, enable NHS App access to patient records, and place mayoral nominees on local boards. A draft Conversion Practices Bill bans efforts to alter sexual orientation or gender identity.

Energy and environment bills comprise an Energy Independence Bill with efficiency rules for rentals and targeted bill support for low-income households. The Electricity Generator Levy Bill hikes taxes on excess profits by power firms. A Nuclear Regulation Bill streamlines approvals. The Clean Water Bill combines regulators like Ofwat to fix oversight of privatized water.

Security legislation includes a Tackling State Threats Bill to prohibit groups like Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. The Armed Forces Bill, from earlier this year, simplifies mobilizing ex-personnel for war. Post-2024 Southport attack, a National Security Bill criminalizes sharing content that glorifies, trivializes, or normalizes serious violence. The amended Northern Ireland Troubles Bill establishes a commission for related killings.

Digital measures cover a Digital Access to Services Bill for voluntary digital ID and a Cyber Security and Resilience Bill extending reporting to data centres.

Governance bills feature a Representation of the People Bill curbing foreign donations and lowering the voting age to 16. The Public Office (Accountability) Bill, or Hillsborough Law, imposes a candour duty on officials. A Removal of Peerages Bill targets Lords members. A Sovereign Grant Bill cuts monarch funding post-Buckingham Palace renovation.

Other items include an Education for All Bill revamping special needs in England schools, a draft Ticket Tout Ban Bill capping resale fees and banning above-face-value sales, a Sporting Events Bill for Euro 2028 football, and an Overnight Visitor Levy Bill allowing English mayors tourist taxes like in Wales and Scotland.

Absent from the speech: Chagos Islands sovereignty handover to Mauritius, shelved after US President Donald Trump objections; welfare reform, though ministers will address Stephen Timms's autumn review; and assisted dying legislation, stalled previously without new government time.