Growth, Railways And Energy Focus Of Labour's Government's First King's Speech

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has set out 40 pieces of legislation the Labour Government will aim to deliver in his first King's Speech.

Announcing the agenda to Parliament on Wednesday, King Charles said the new government — formed after Labour won a general election for the first time since 2005 earlier this month — would be "one of service". 

"My Government's legislative programme will be mission led and based upon the principles of security, fairness and opportunity for all," he said. 

The Government's first King's Speech, as expected, is centred on Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves' core mission to deliver growth, with key areas including housing, planning and energy. 

Labour has confirmed it will go ahead with nationalising the railways and reforming the unelected House of Lords. It has also decided to retain former prime minister Rishi Sunak's plan to phase out smoking.

Here's what you need to know about Starmer's first King's Speech:

The government announced fifteen bills in the area of what it views as "economic stability and growth" in its King's Speech.

Central to this is planning, with Starmer and his Cabinet determined to boost the building of houses and infrastructure. The Government hopes the Planning and Infrastructure Bill will help it build 1.5m new homes by the end of this parliament. 

The Government has also pledged to improve workplace rights through its Employment Rights Bill. This will be centred on a "new deal for working people to ban exploitative practices and enhance employment rights" — including banning zero hour contracts, and ending fire and rehire. 

A key plank of Labour's successful election campaign was promising responsible management of the economy, and in the King's Speech the Government has