URGENT action “to tackle anti-Semitism and ensure all communities feel safe” was pledged on Wednesday in the King’s Speech, which set out the Government’s agenda for the next parliamentary year.
In a speech touching on identity, conflict, and climate change, the King said of his ministers: “They will defend the British values of decency, tolerance and respect for difference under our common flag, and they will harness the potential of the pride felt across this country for its communities.”
The speech, which presented 37 forthcoming Bills, began by speaking about the “increasingly dangerous and volatile world”, and drew attention to the conflict in the Middle East as the most recent example.
“Every element of the nation’s energy, defence, and economic security will be tested,” the King said. “In this volatile world, my Government will continue to pursue foreign policy based on a calm assessment of the national interest. It will continue its unflinching support for the brave people of Ukraine, who fight on the frontline of freedom.”
He continued: “My Government will remain a leading advocate for tackling climate change and achieving a world free from poverty. The United Kingdom will also take action to reduce humanitarian need and conflict around the world.
“My ministers will champion the rights of women and girls to live in a world free from violence. This will include promoting women’s full economic and political participation within their societies, with agency over the decisions that impact their lives.”
The King said that the Government would also look to “improve relations with European partners” and to uphold its “unbreakable commitment” to NATO. It would increase spending on defence.
The chief executive of Christian Aid, Patrick Watt, broadly welcomed the measures outlined in the speech. He told the Church Times on Wednesday: “It’s encouraging to see the King’s Speech include international action on climate, and on tackling violence against women and girls.”
Mr Watt continued: “Shared prosperity and security at home will not be built on poverty and conflict in the wider world. This is a moment when we urgently need the Government to help bridge economic and social divisions, here and internationally.”
Domestically, the King said that a Bill would be brought forward to raise standards in schools and introduce generational reforms of the system for meeting special educational needs (the Education for All Bill).
An NHS Modernisation Bill is set to abolish the body that runs NHS England, make preparations for patient records to be viewed on the NHS app, and appoint “mayoral nominees” to local health boards.
A draft Conversion Practices Bill, which was first announced in Labour’s King’s Speech two years ago, would ban measures intending to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Critics noted that welfare reform was absent from the King’s Speech.
The chief executive of Church Action on Poverty, Liam Purcell, said: “The King’s Speech has little to say about the still-growing problem of UK poverty. We know that reforms to our benefits system rightly have to wait until the [Sir Stephen] Timms Review has consulted with people who have lived experience of the system. But it’s alarming that the Government doesn’t seem to be aware of the urgent cost-of-living scandal.
“There are no announcements here that address the looming price rises caused by the war in Iran, which will have a terrible impact on people who have already been struggling for years with the hardship caused by high prices for everyday essentials.”
As usual, the King ended his address by saying: “I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels.” MPs debated the King’s Speech in the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon.