the pomp and pageantry of the state opening of parliament for the first labour government in m years. in a crowded house of lords, the king says the starmer government will create a new national energy company, nationalise railways, and reform planning and health laws. my government's legislative programme will be mission—led, based upon the principles of security, fairness and opportunity for all. the house of commons will this afternoon debate the contents of the speech — that's due to begin shortly we'll be talking through what the surprises were and what it means to you.

the king has used the state opening of parliament even the clearing up around here has already been done. the king has used the state opening of parliament to for the year ahead. the king's speech includes proposals for 35 new laws, focussing on the economy, border security, crime and the renationalisation of britain's railways. the king said the government wanted to bring in a new deal to ban exploitative practices for working people and would reset relations with the european union. ian watson has been following events at westminster. labour's election slogan consisted of one word — change. the unveiling of the party's programme for government is steeped in tradition. fanfare. the ceremonial aspects of the state opening of parliament

date back to the 1500s, and today's king's speech was the first to be written by a labour government for 15 years. black rod is sent to summon mps to the house of lords to hear the speech. it's long—standing convention initially to slam the doors in theirface. this is to emphasise the house of commons�* independence from the sovereign. but political change was on display with this role reversal. keir starmer as prime minister, rishi sunak as leader of the opposition. mps crowded into the upper chamber as the king was given the task of summing up the new government's approach in one sentence. my government will govern in service to the country. but now a spoiler alert. if you've happened to flick through the pages of labour's manifesto, much of what follows won't be a surprise. new rules on spending and borrowing will be enshrined in law but, fundamentally, most of the measures were aimed at promoting economic growth. my ministers will get britain

building, including through planning reform as they seek to accelerate the delivery of high—quality infrastructure and housing. there was a commitment to new green projects, including this. a bill will be introduced to set up great british energy, a publicly owned clean power company, headquartered in scotland. it will help accelerate investment in renewable energy, such as offshore wind. labour won some conservative—held seats at the election that had eluded even tony blair, but there were measures here to please traditional supporters, too — renationalising railway companies, and within the next three months, there'll be new laws on workers�* rights. my government is committed to making work pay and will legislate to introduce a new deal for working people to ban exploitative practices and enhance employment rights. but there's also something

to please the former conservative prime minister. keir starmer will complete some of rishi sunak�*s unfinished business, including new rights for renters, a law to ensure venues are prepared for terrorist attacks, and the return of a bill that almost went up in smoke. the bill will be introduced to progressively increase the age at which people can buy cigarettes and impose limits on the sale and marketing of vapes. but some elements from labour's manifesto are missing, at least for the time being. these include lowering the voting age to 16 and, at the other end of the age range, kicking octogenarian peers out of the house of lords. there's also been some pressure from the snp and from the left of the labour party to lift the two—child limit on benefit payments. but that pressure is being resisted. the king's speech is about implementing what we said we'd do. people shouldn't expect it to implement things that we didn't say we'd do. opposition parties said they will hold the new government to account.

we know our role to scrutinise . what the government is planning to do and support wherel it is the right thing to do. we have to wait and see if it's going to be enough and we want to see more detail but, at the same time, we all want grace back in the economy, if the government can delivery it would be a good thing for all of us. even more measures are out to consultation. although the king has finished his speech, the real work of government is onlyjust beginning. our deputy political editor vicki young is with me. in terms of the politics, now, take me through what we are likely to see over the coming hours. at me through what we are likely to see over the coming hours.— over the coming hours. at 2:30pm, we will see the — over the coming hours. at 2:30pm, we will see the house _ over the coming hours. at 2:30pm, we will see the house of— over the coming hours. at 2:30pm, we will see the house of commons - over the coming hours. at 2:30pm, we will see the house of commons get - will see the house of commons get back together and it will be obvious yet again, the huge majority that a labour has after the general

election landslide which should in theory make it much easy for them to govern in terms of getting pieces of legislation through as there are a lot of them here. we will see sir keir starmer and the government and the role reversal we were talking about with richey tonight. cool is the leader of the leader of the opposition and has decided to stay at least for now but he will be there today and he has promised that there today and he has promised that the conservatives will be constructive in their opposition, they will be looking at any labour plans to raise taxes, that is not something we would get today, we have a budget to come in the autumn and he has talked to richey sinner about defence spending, saying that they had promised to have 2.5% of gdp spent on defence and will push the government to do the same. the larger benches for the liberal democrats, they will be continuing their campaign on the nhs which is something of course they started in

the election and the snp to. everyone is getting used to be new shape of the house of commons and, despite the large majority, there will be robust debates to come. fix, will be robust debates to come. a huge agenda is laid out, what did you pick out?— huge agenda is laid out, what did you pick out? what was interesting is that the legislation, _ you pick out? what was interesting is that the legislation, that - you pick out? what was interesting is that the legislation, that is - is that the legislation, that is part of it of course, but the words from sir keir starmer where interesting, talking about unity, about bringing the country together, talking about politicians having to rebuild trust and trying to give the sense that he is turning a page, that this will be a different kind of politics, labour has been talking a lot about the chaos during the last few years because of the conservatives so they will talk about different things, like stability, they have talked about growth in the economy. that stuff about the budget, of course, will come later on. this was all about

legislation and the planning reforms, they will be pretty significant and how they work in practice, of course, will be key. they have talked about streamlining and modernising, planning committees of local councils, they have about speeding up decisions about big infrastructure projects and also when it comes to housing but it is sure to be controversial. there will be mps on the site as well as others who will doubt still oppose building in their areas. labour has tried to reassure people, saying they are not planning to put concrete over the green belt and there are pockets that can be built on. they are not planning on concreting over some of england's areas. there is transport and planning, so there is lots of stuff here, workers' rights here,

day one of working at a job you are have a right to maternity and paternity leave. hopefully the government will make a difference to people's lives. {line government will make a difference to peeple's lives-— people's lives. one of those things not on that list _ people's lives. one of those things not on that list is _ people's lives. one of those things not on that list is that _ people's lives. one of those things not on that list is that eg _ people's lives. one of those things not on that list is that eg msg, - not on that list is that eg msg, which will bring clean energy by 2030, security, cleaning bills, it very ambitious as it did? it 2030, security, cleaning bills, it very ambitious as it did? it about investin: very ambitious as it did? it about investing in green energy, - very ambitious as it did? it about investing in green energy, the i very ambitious as it did? it about| investing in green energy, the hq will be in scotland. we have already seen the environment secretary, talking about onshore wind farms, the continuation of offshore as well as solar panels and solar farms, things that may prove controversial in local communities. but, that particular body is there to invest over the parliament. of course, we saw that scale back by labour in opposition but they say that what

they want to do it harness a private investment by putting in some public money as well but they have said very clearly that they don't think that the state can pay for this on its own, it will need private companies to come and help with that as well. . ., . ., , companies to come and help with that as well. . ., .., , ., , , as well. there are a couple of bills which are linked _ as well. there are a couple of bills which are linked very _ as well. there are a couple of bills which are linked very closely - as well. there are a couple of bills which are linked very closely to . as well. there are a couple of bills| which are linked very closely to the sort of campaigns we see, one on water quality and powers for the regulator but also martyn�*s law which hang overfrom richey sinner wanted to do which will be making today's list. wanted to do which will be making today's list-— wanted to do which will be making toda 's list. . , ,., today's list. there have been some that have been resurrected by - today's list. there have been some that have been resurrected by the l that have been resurrected by the labour government but we knew that the conservatives were planning a number of things, there is a renters bill as well. folds evictions, as you say, cleaning up water, martyn�*s law, and also the gradual phasing out of tobacco sales, starting at those who are 1a this year.

gradually, meaning it will become effectively illegal to buy cigarettes. there are some things there which are there under the previous government which labour has decided to carry on with. they will be particularly important to those who have campaigned in some cases for these things. i’ilil who have campaigned in some cases for these things.— for these things. i'll leave you for now, more reaction _ for these things. i'll leave you for now, more reaction from - for these things. i'll leave you for now, more reaction from where l for these things. i'll leave you for. now, more reaction from where you are in the coming minutes. we expect in this hour to get you address and the proceedings there in the commons, the motion that has been put forward by two government backbenchers and a long serving mp. we will be back to see that, but let's see more reaction to what has happened. joining me now is ben curtis, external affairs manager at the campaign for better transport. i think broadly, very positive. there have been three bills put forward. private contract will be

put into public ownership which means that when they expire or do not adhere to the terms of the contract they will be brought under public control and will end in 2013. the second is to establish brick great british railways which is the bringing together of track and train which means that there are fewer chefs in the kitchens making decisions, and the third is to codify railfrom codify rail from crewe to manchester.— codify rail from crewe to manchester. ~ . . ., , , manchester. what are the gaps because we _ manchester. what are the gaps because we do _ manchester. what are the gaps because we do not _ manchester. what are the gaps because we do not know - manchester. what are the gaps because we do not know the i manchester. what are the gaps - because we do not know the timelines of these companies bring back public ownership so you may have a fragmented system for a while. we will be fragmented system for a while. - will be in a situation where some contracts come up before others, like the ones on the essex line are going to be up next year and there will be lots of conversations about what happens when operators are coming to the end of the contract life span and what they will give a public service. in

life span and what they will give a public service.— public service. in terms of passengers. _ public service. in terms of passengers, when - public service. in terms of passengers, when do - public service. in terms of passengers, when do you| public service. in terms of- passengers, when do you think public service. in terms of— passengers, when do you think people will actually see any sort of difference?— will actually see any sort of difference? �* , . , difference? it's an interesting question. _ difference? it's an interesting question. we _ difference? it's an interesting question, we will— difference? it's an interesting question, we will see - difference? it's an interesting l question, we will see perhaps a rebranding of trends over the course of the next few months and years. as the government excitedly hurried towards great british railways,... branding, announcement, the way it's branding, announcement, the way its run, when will passengers see a difference in the service they get? i would not expect to see anything immediately, if i'm honest. it will take a few years before they have established the team as a permanent unit and then we will see changes on the railway. hopefully, for the labour government, it will be 2030 ijy labour government, it will be 2030 by the time they see full changes. how significant will that change around battersby, another bill is about that. the around battersby, another bill is about that-— around battersby, another bill is aboutthat. ., ., , , , about that. the legislation on buses toda is about that. the legislation on buses today is different _

about that. the legislation on buses today is different to _ about that. the legislation on buses today is different to what _ about that. the legislation on buses today is different to what they - about that. the legislation on buses today is different to what they are i today is different to what they are offering on rail. you will be able to operate railway franchise networks and it is being opened in manchester but it is a reversal on the 2013 law on buses like in city such as nottingham where they run their own buses and that will be reversed. the extent of that is to be confirmed but, yes, a step in the right direction.— right direction. thanks very much, let's aet right direction. thanks very much, let's get back _ right direction. thanks very much, let's get back to _ right direction. thanks very much, let's get back to growth _ right direction. thanks very much, let's get back to growth because l let's get back to growth because that weed through so much what was being outlined here a little earlier. tom, welcome. i think it was really impressive set of measures, not much of it, of any of measures, not much of it, of any of it, during the campaign even in

the first week or two of government has been really clear about the growth of the priority, it was most of all but once again the growth mission was set up and the main thing this government is going to be trying to do, of the bills that were announced, the planning reforms, i felt were the most significant and flushed out based on what the government will do. most of that was backing up or confirming what rachel reeves said in his speech last week, the commitment to meeting targets and reforms. with that bill and others, we will need to see the detail before we know exactly how radical it is but what is really important here is that the government is on the front foot about it. planning is one of those things which is going to be very controversial, it is trying to deliver early but has not mandated what it will do. it will take to deliver, it is not something that is going to grow gdp growth this year

or next but over the long term it could make a meaningful difference. housing is one of the critical drivers but they talk about bulldozing through planning restrictions, the sort of thing they have held governments back. realistically, how long will it take to change the variety of planning laws in place? it to change the variety of planning laws in place?— laws in place? it suggested last week that it _ laws in place? it suggested last week that it will _ laws in place? it suggested last week that it will move - laws in place? it suggested last week that it will move quickly l laws in place? it suggested last| week that it will move quickly so they will reduce, produce a draft new version of the framework before a recess which is the document which sets out things like the rules at are local plans to, what local planning targets may be. there are other things they can do more quickly, for example, rachel reeves said she would be willing to call in decisions, to override some projections to housing and development she can do more quickly. in terms of the way it works on the

ground, it takes longer, it takes time to get the legislation right so we are looking at a year or two before you really start to see big changes in, the example, the number of houses built and that is also true because, the supply of construction needs time to ramp up and develop and identify those new sites that are going to be newly permitted. again, we're not talking about something you're suddenly going to see all construction, over the next two years, three years, you will see a meaningful difference and what this government will be hoping is that, by moving quickly and early, it is something by certainly by the next election he will start to see some of the initial effects, and more houses, more infrastructure, but you will be starting to see some great with that too. . ~ ., , ., , .,

too. take me through pitfalls all otential too. take me through pitfalls all potential gaps — too. take me through pitfalls all potential gaps because - too. take me through pitfalls all potential gaps because every - potential gaps because every economy, every european economy, has growth going, it is significantly harder than that. it has all these measures which help to trigger growth, what are the potential gaps are? , , . ., , ., are? the biggest challenge is that there is a limit _ are? the biggest challenge is that there is a limit to _ are? the biggest challenge is that there is a limit to how— are? the biggest challenge is that there is a limit to how much - there is a limit to how much government policy can suddenly spare on growth, there are lots of silver bullets that lead to short—term growth, we think over the long term, a good planning system is one, public investment and private investment and fiscal system which promote growth in the long term. public investment is one area which could be a great challenge, the government has mentioned some areas as part of legislation has one aspect but while they are able to point to some areas, the overall

plan is that this government has signed up to we set out byjeremy hunt in the last budget and implies actually big cats to public investment over the next few years and there are fats going to mean if they stick to those plans are some difficult choices and investing in other areas and that could mean things like the public sectors, hospitals and schools, that is an area which we see crumbling to structure and we see impacts on public services, more money is going on but we are not getting more out of it. that is actually something which is a problem for growth as well, if we have a less educated and healthy workforce.— healthy workforce. we'll back to that, the state _ healthy workforce. we'll back to that, the state of— healthy workforce. we'll back to that, the state of the _ healthy workforce. we'll back to that, the state of the public- that, the state of the public purse will come to bat in a moment or two but in terms of that inflation will they stay the same within the target of 2%, does that, is that a point of

optimism in term of that fundamental question of when people start to feel a bit better off? it is question of when people start to feel a bit better off?— feel a bit better off? it is much better to have _ feel a bit better off? it is much better to have inflation - feel a bit better off? it is much better to have inflation at - feel a bit better off? it is much better to have inflation at 296 l feel a bit better off? it is much i better to have inflation at 296 than better to have inflation at 2% than 10% as we did 18 months or so ago, it is important to note that people do not necessarily see in the pocket straightaway. lower inflation just means that prices are not going as quickly as they are, not falling back to previous levels, people are looking at shops or looking at a rental bills, perhaps, and seeing that they were higher than they were 18 months ago. for cases where there wages have not kept pace, nonetheless, it is a more stable environment where labour can build with bills here and we look forward to budgets some point in the autumn where rachel reeves will have a chance to set out plans in more detail. there will also be a

decision for the bank of england to make at the next meeting and in august when you next expect them to make a decision about reducing rates as well. ., ., , as well. you mentions the budget, we're lad as well. you mentions the budget, we're glad see _ as well. you mentions the budget, we're glad see a — as well. you mentions the budget, we're glad see a new _ as well. you mentions the budget, we're glad see a new bill _ as well. you mentions the budget, we're glad see a new bill with i as well. you mentions the budget, | we're glad see a new bill with more physical rules about having an assessment before you have a major fiscal statements like the budget. we also saw what happened when we saw lidge trust's so we don't get a repetition of that. it was the very first in the king speech. it also towards not making policy on making it too quickly. i think this, alongside other things that rachel reeves is committed to, like having

one main fiscal event than to as we tend to have. and also setting out a strategy which is to be unveiled soon. it's been committed to a more certain, stable environment which should be beneficialfor businesses and families and will be particularly important for business investment because as we mentioned, public investment is set to be quite tight and driving growth will have to come through greater involvement of the private sector and more certain business environments will be important as well. thanks for joining us. we seem nearly a0 bills put forward. joining us. we seem nearly 40 bills put forward-— put forward. have a listen. i think it is enormously _ put forward. have a listen. i think it is enormously ambitious, i it is enormously ambitious, over a0 bills in the king speech and shows how much we are prioritising economic growth and ambition to get

britain building and growing our economy again. it is britain building and growing our economy again.— britain building and growing our econom aaain. , ., , economy again. it is only ambitious and radical — economy again. it is only ambitious and radical if _ economy again. it is only ambitious and radical if you _ economy again. it is only ambitious and radical if you deliver. _ economy again. it is only ambitious and radical if you deliver. you i and radical if you deliver. you recognise that basic point, don't you? fit recognise that basic point, don't ou? . ., , recognise that basic point, don't ou? .., , ., ., you? of course, we have a huge hill to climb. we've _ you? of course, we have a huge hill to climb. we've got _ you? of course, we have a huge hill to climb. we've got to _ to climb. we've got to restore faith in politics and that's why today's king speech was so important, there were no surprises, we measured everything we were doing in the campaign and i hope that people will see it as a party that will do what it said and will crack on with it. i will come back that in a moment, but your area, will come back that in a moment, but yourarea, in will come back that in a moment, but your area, in terms of going back to public ownership, what the timeline? we will move away to allow companies to move properties into public ownership and it will take more time to establish great british railways

before that happens. in 18 months. i've had a in yesterday and someone else with network rail to make it very clear that we are not going to tolerate the performance that we see in our railways. we will be establishing partnerships to drive performance immediately. fire establishing partnerships to drive performance immediately. are you waitinu performance immediately. are you waitin: for performance immediately. are you waiting for contracts _ performance immediately. are you waiting for contracts and? yes, i performance immediately. are you waiting for contracts and? yes, we j waiting for contracts and? yes, we do not want _ waiting for contracts and? yes, we do not want to _ waiting for contracts and? yes, we do not want to waste _ waiting for contracts and? yes, we do not want to waste money i waiting for contracts and? yes, we do not want to waste money on i waiting for contracts and? yes, we i do not want to waste money on buying other companies but if they breach them, if a fault, we will bring them in as soon as possible. lip them, if a fault, we will bring them in as soon as possible.— them, if a fault, we will bring them in as soon as possible. up and down the country. — in as soon as possible. up and down the country. the _ in as soon as possible. up and down the country, the day-to-day - in as soon as possible. up and down the country, the day-to-day bus i the country, the day—to—day bus service, people wanting change, what are you actually outlined today? the most used are you actually outlined today? tie: most used form of are you actually outlined today? tt2 most used form of public transport and it is particularly people from disadvantaged backgrounds, people who do not have access to cars, that is why it was so important to read out our commitment on the powers of the bus services. the model we have

in london and the we now have in greater manchester, we are going to allow every area to have that and take back control but we're also going to go further and reverse the ideological ban on publicly owned bus companies. every transport authority in the country can set up their own bus company which can run in the interests of the travelling public. in the interests of the travelling ublic. ., ., ., public. you mentioned growth, it is central to this, it is now being said that it is about how, knit if that, get them, are you underestimating the sort of resistance at a local level there is bound to be?— bound to be? nobody underestimates the challenge — bound to be? nobody underestimates the challenge of— bound to be? nobody underestimates the challenge of planning reform i bound to be? nobody underestimates the challenge of planning reform butl the challenge of planning reform but we have demonstrated how quickly we are going to move. day one, rachel reeves overturned the ban on onshore winds. the deputy prime minister has already called in several planning permissions to get britain building.

we will require local authorities deliver the plans for us to meet targets. we are not going to take no for an answer any more. the scale of the challenge is too large so we will move at pace, but we will work with local communities and local leaders. ., ., , ., ., leaders. you have bulldoze through that. leaders. you have bulldoze through that- there — leaders. you have bulldoze through that. there will _ leaders. you have bulldoze through that. there will still _ leaders. you have bulldoze through that. there will still be _ leaders. you have bulldoze through that. there will still be a _ leaders. you have bulldoze through that. there will still be a place i that. there will still be a place for local communities - that. there will still be a place for local communities have i that. there will still be a place i for local communities have their say, but at the moment, to many local authorities are just saying no and the previous government allowed that to happen. they will be required to work with their communities and develop and work. it will allow workers to build on greenfield sites so this means more partnership driven approaches but it will get britain building. final thou:hts, will get britain building. final thoughts, this _ will get britain building. final thoughts, this is all— will get britain building. final thoughts, this is all about i will get britain building. final thoughts, this is all about growth, if you do not get the growth you need, you will look at tax rises or spending cuts, large spending cuts.

you know the figures and know what you inherited, in terms of delivery, what is the sort of growth that you need within 12 months, ? what is the sort of growth that you need within 12 months,? we what is the sort of growth that you need within 12 months,?— need within 12 months,? we have alwa s need within 12 months,? we have always been _ need within 12 months,? we have always been clear that _ need within 12 months,? we have always been clear that growth is l always been clear that growth is our strategy, we've got the csr budget in the autumn which will be dealing with wider budgeting issues. you must have an idea of growth, we need as much as possible and we have all been instructed to move at pace. isn't that vague? we are not limiting our ambition, we are not setting targets, we have been told active pace to improve networks and to get going with critical infrastructure and to control insane costs under the last government. just a couple of other things to point up in the a0 bills we heard

about, several hard fought campaigns have been recognised by the new government. martyn's law is one after martyn hett. it requires venues to have stronger than your plans. and to release duty of candour for public servants. let's go back to vicky young who is there for us. you've got your eye on the reporters, but what about the duty of candour? tt reporters, but what about the duty of candour?— of candour? it goes back to keir starmer talking _ of candour? it goes back to keir starmer talking about _ of candour? it goes back to keir| starmer talking about governing of candour? it goes back to keir i starmer talking about governing in a different way and he doesn't just mean nationalised companies, he means all sorts of companies saying that firstly, if there are whistle—blowers then they should be believed, they should be listened to, and a duty of candour too of course, stop some huge scandals that we have seen in recent years. the

blood scandal, the post office candle, that's what he's trying to do. he is trying to bring in a law which will bring harm to people that, if people speak out and talk about things that are going wrong, they should be listened to and they should be taken seriously. t’zre they should be listened to and they should be taken seriously.— should be taken seriously. i've got half an eye — should be taken seriously. i've got half an eye on _ should be taken seriously. i've got half an eye on the _ should be taken seriously. i've got half an eye on the pitch _ should be taken seriously. i've got half an eye on the pitch is - should be taken seriously. i've got half an eye on the pitch is because we are not that far away, just some of the mps swearing in, one of the late additions there because we saw last week in the next few seconds we're going to hear from the speaker, very quickly, lay out what we're going to see in the next an hour. , , ., ., hour. this is all part of the tradition — hour. this is all part of the tradition of _ hour. this is all part of the tradition of the king's i hour. this is all part of the i tradition of the king's speech, hour. this is all part of the - tradition of the king's speech, we of course had been no not here today, reading the government's words and laying out the programme for the government over the next few months. now, we moved back to the house of commons chamber where we start really the debate, but it does

start really the debate, but it does start with something a bit more unusual. it's two backbenchers, this time it will be to labour back pensions, they will what is called the humble address and talk about their constituencies. one from london, one from liverpool. they will talk about things that are important to them and of course, being labour mps, delighted that there is a labour government. then we would hear from the opposition which is of course, reducing. he will be there, of course being on the other side for some time. he has decided to stay on, not all former prime ministers have done that. john major did that after losing the election in 1997, so he ended up opposite tony blair, and gordon brown decided not to do that and handed over to an interim leader. pretty sumac has decided to stay, i

spoke to a few of his colleagues who said that they wanted him to stay on to give some kind of stability after a disastrous election result. i'm sure he doesn't want to relish the prospect of being on the opposite but nonetheless, he has agreed to stay on and he will provides the main opposition to this kings speech. he has said that the conservatives will be constructive in their opposition when they see things that they agree with and they will say so, but of course, they will say so, but of course, they will oppose as well. some of these bills are ones that he and his former government came up with. so, in particular, the legacy he wanted but didn't get through because he called the election earlier than some. it was about facing out the sale of cigarettes alongside some changes that apes are sold. that has been resurrected by the labour

government and will now go through parliament. there are some things, i'm sure, that he would agree with, he has already talked about some of the things he will try to pic labour upon. they promised to ibegin by i begin by reminding members to behave— i begin by reminding members to behave with civility and fairness in all their_ behave with civility and fairness in all their deep links. unacceptable behaviour— all their deep links. unacceptable behaviour will be dealt with fairly come _ behaviour will be dealt with fairly come independently with effective sanctions. the house asserts the privilege — sanctions. the house asserts the privilege of freedom of speech, the privileges _ privilege of freedom of speech, the privileges enjoyed by members of parliament only in their work in this house _ parliament only in their work in this house is private individuals. we are — this house is private individuals. we are equal under the law with

those _ we are equal under the law with those whom we represent. it is there to ensure _ those whom we represent. it is there to ensure that our constituents can be represented by others without fear or— be represented by others without fear or favour. be represented by others without fear orfavour. it be represented by others without fear or favour. it is an obligation upon _ fear or favour. it is an obligation upon all— fear or favour. it is an obligation upon all of— fear or favour. it is an obligation upon all of us to exercise that privilege _ upon all of us to exercise that privilege and responsibility. accuracy of members contributions. it is incumbent on members to be accurate _ it is incumbent on members to be accurate in — it is incumbent on members to be accurate in what they see in this house _ accurate in what they see in this house and — accurate in what they see in this house and to correct any mistakes as soon as— house and to correct any mistakes as soon as possible. —— accurate in what _ soon as possible. —— accurate in what they— soon as possible. —— accurate in what they say. all members can now submit _ what they say. all members can now submit written correspondence directly — submit written correspondence directly to hansard to amend errors of fact— directly to hansard to amend errors of fact and — directly to hansard to amend errors of fact and there comes provisions as well— of fact and there comes provisions as well as — of fact and there comes provisions as well as being able to correct the record _ as well as being able to correct the record by— as well as being able to correct the record by your point of order. the speaker— record by your point of order. the speaker does not have, and i respect this as _ speaker does not have, and i respect this as well, — speaker does not have, and i respect this as well, this speaker does not have _ this as well, this speaker does not have the _ this as well, this speaker does not have the power to police the accuracy _ have the power to police the accuracy of members' contributions, if only— accuracy of members' contributions, if only i_ accuracy of members' contributions, if only i could. i now come to courtesy— if only i could. i now come to courtesy and temporal language. i draw the _ courtesy and temporal language. i draw the house attention to the

guidance — draw the house attention to the guidance of rules on behaviour and courtesy— guidance of rules on behaviour and courtesy in— guidance of rules on behaviour and courtesy in this house of commons. members— courtesy in this house of commons. members must be mindful of the impact _ members must be mindful of the impact of— members must be mindful of the impact of what we say not only to other— impact of what we say not only to other members but on others who follow _ other members but on others who follow our— other members but on others who follow our proceedings and members should _ follow our proceedings and members should be _ follow our proceedings and members should be heard courteously whatever their views _ should be heard courteously whatever theirviews. in particular, members should— theirviews. in particular, members should address the chair rather than each other— should address the chair rather than each other directly, and i say two honourable — each other directly, and i say two honourable gentlemen, please, where a tie, _ honourable gentlemen, please, where a tie, use _ honourable gentlemen, please, where a tie, use might not catch my eye. and members should remain in the chamber— and members should remain in the chamber for at least two speeches or if it's questioned time, it will be two substantive questions after their— two substantive questions after their own. show the respect to other members _ their own. show the respect to other members. of course, i understand that new_ members. of course, i understand that new members may need a bit of time to— that new members may need a bit of time to familiarise themselves with the conventions and courtesies of the conventions and courtesies of the house — the conventions and courtesies of the house and i will take that into account— the house and i will take that into account by— the house and i will take that into account by naming the chair but i would _ account by naming the chair but i would urge — account by naming the chair but i would urge every member to study the

guidance _ would urge every member to study the guidance carefully and, please, i do say to— guidance carefully and, please, i do say to members, mobile phones of a privilege _ say to members, mobile phones of a privilege to _ say to members, mobile phones of a privilege to be used in this house. please _ privilege to be used in this house. please try— privilege to be used in this house. please try and think about when you need them — please try and think about when you need them when you use them. members should _ need them when you use them. members should be _ need them when you use them. members should be able to ask a question without— should be able to ask a question without needing it. let's show the ability— without needing it. let's show the ability of— without needing it. let's show the ability of this house. let's show what _ ability of this house. let's show what we — ability of this house. let's show what we can do by working together. as i say, _ what we can do by working together. as i say, members who need a little time, _ as i say, members who need a little time, and _ as i say, members who need a little time, and i— as i say, members who need a little time, and i will work with all new members — time, and i will work with all new members. we must ensure and i take into account _ members. we must ensure and i take into account when i'm in the chair that i_ into account when i'm in the chair that i would — into account when i'm in the chair that i would urge every member to study— that i would urge every member to study as— that i would urge every member to study as i— that i would urge every member to study as i said the guidance. please read it _ study as i said the guidance. please read it~ any— study as i said the guidance. please read it. any advice that is needed. come _ read it. any advice that is needed. come and — read it. any advice that is needed. come and check with me and the clerks _ come and check with me and the clerks. criticism of other members. in clerks. criticism of other members. in this _ clerks. criticism of other members. in this place. — clerks. criticism of other members. in this place, we honourable members in the _ in this place, we honourable members in the language we use about each other— in the language we use about each other should reflect that. if a member _ other should reflect that. if a member. of the standards expected of us all the _ member. of the standards expected of us all the ways of dealing with that but not _ us all the ways of dealing with that but not accusations made during

guestions — but not accusations made during questions and debates. if we fail to treat each— questions and debates. if we fail to treat each other with respect and debates— treat each other with respect and debates this diminishes our work. also risks — debates this diminishes our work. also risks raising the temperature of discussions outside this place, particularly on social media, which too often — particularly on social media, which too often descend into online abuse against _ too often descend into online abuse against honourable members. myjob is to look— against honourable members. myjob is to look after all members so, please, — is to look after all members so, please, if— is to look after all members so, please, if we show respect to each other— please, if we show respect to each other here, — please, if we show respect to each other here, i believe the public should — other here, i believe the public should also show the respect to each other— should also show the respect to each other here, _ should also show the respect to each other here, i— should also show the respect to each other here, i believe the public should — other here, i believe the public should also show the respect to get it right _ should also show the respect to get it right and — should also show the respect to get it right and let's work together. i don't _ it right and let's work together. i don't want — it right and let's work together. i don't want people to agree with each other _ don't want people to agree with each other this— don't want people to agree with each other. this could be the most boring chamber— other. this could be the most boring chamber i've — other. this could be the most boring chamber i've ever seen. that wouldn't _ chamber i've ever seen. that wouldn't be good for me either. but it's about _ wouldn't be good for me either. but it's about tolerance so, please, let's _ it's about tolerance so, please, let's make _ it's about tolerance so, please, let's make that our main aim. confidentiality of speakers' correspondence with members. it's important _ correspondence with members. it's important that honourable members are able _ important that honourable members are able to _ important that honourable members are able to raise matters with me freely— are able to raise matters with me freely and — are able to raise matters with me freely and for that reason i keep such— freely and for that reason i keep such correspondence confidential. this includes applications for urgent — this includes applications for urgent questions. i remind honourable members it is equally

important — honourable members it is equally important that my response, particularly on matters of privilege, are treated with the same respect _ privilege, are treated with the same respect. speaking on the chair. i also _ respect. speaking on the chair. i also wish — respect. speaking on the chair. i also wish to— respect. speaking on the chair. i also wish to give some advice about seeking _ also wish to give some advice about seeking to— also wish to give some advice about seeking to speak in the chamber. i take into _ seeking to speak in the chamber. i take into account the number of factors— take into account the number of factors when determining who to call. factors when determining who to call~ one — factors when determining who to call. one of those is how often a member— call. one of those is how often a member speaks. call. one of those is how often a memberspeaks. in call. one of those is how often a member speaks. in other words, call. one of those is how often a memberspeaks. in otherwords, if you've _ memberspeaks. in otherwords, if you've spoken much more than colleagues, then others will be brought— colleagues, then others will be brought before you and treated. and i brought before you and treated. and | -ot brought before you and treated. and i got to— brought before you and treated. and i got to say— brought before you and treated. and i got to say tojim shannon, i got to say to jim shannon, remember i got to say tojim shannon, remember that. laughter i don't think it's... i think that falls _ i don't think it's... i think that falls on — i don't think it's... i think that falls on deaf ears. but i would say that colleagues are more likely to be called — that colleagues are more likely to be called for the next debate in which _ be called for the next debate in which you — be called for the next debate in which you applied if you missed out on the _ which you applied if you missed out on the last— which you applied if you missed out on the last one. i know it can be frustrating — on the last one. i know it can be frustrating not to be called in the debate _ frustrating not to be called in the debate or— frustrating not to be called in the debate or to be called very late. privatising the debates on question time statements in which you seek to passm _ time statements in which you seek to passm is— time statements in which you seek to passm is one — time statements in which you seek to pass... is one way to way to try to avoid — pass... is one way to way to try to avoid that— pass... is one way to way to try to avoid that happening. staff in my office _ avoid that happening. staff in my office are — avoid that happening. staff in my office are always offering further advice _

office are always offering further advice. what i would say is, and i say now. — advice. what i would say is, and i say now. it — advice. what i would say is, and i say now, it will be very frustrating for the _ say now, it will be very frustrating for the government side is that so many— for the government side is that so many so _ for the government side is that so many sojust remember that. don't take it _ many sojust remember that. don't take it out — many sojust remember that. don't take it out of my office. please blame — take it out of my office. please blame me _ take it out of my office. please blame me at any time. when we now come _ blame me at any time. when we now come to— blame me at any time. when we now come to security and safety, finally, — come to security and safety, finally, i— come to security and safety, finally, i want all members and everyone — finally, i want all members and everyone in the problem of elementary community to be able to id elementary community to be able to go out _ elementary community to be able to go out on _ elementary community to be able to go out on their work safely both online _ go out on their work safely both online and — go out on their work safely both online and here in westminster. this security— online and here in westminster. this security of— online and here in westminster. this security of this building and those who work— security of this building and those who work in it depend on us all. we have _ who work in it depend on us all. we have a _ who work in it depend on us all. we have a duty— who work in it depend on us all. we have a duty to be vigilant to assist those _ have a duty to be vigilant to assist those whose job it is to maintain this place — those whose job it is to maintain this place is a safe place of work but i _ this place is a safe place of work but i also — this place is a safe place of work but i also know it is about being a constituency mp. it is about meeting constituents. and it's about being able to— constituents. and it's about being able to represent those constituents within _ able to represent those constituents within our— able to represent those constituents within our constituencies that i take _ within our constituencies that i take seriously. team members lost their lives — take seriously. team members lost their lives. it wasn't in this house. _ their lives. it wasn't in this house, but in their constituency. —— two members — house, but in their constituency. —— two members lost their lives. but if i can two members lost their lives. but if i can do— two members lost their lives. but if i can do to — two members lost their lives. but if i can do to support you, i will. make — i can do to support you, i will. make sure _ i can do to support you, i will. make sure you follow all the

security— make sure you follow all the security procedures. studio: we are going to keep an eye on proceedings in the commons but we are going to come away for the next two minutes because i want to talk about one of today's balls, the bill about one of today's balls, the bill about workers' rights because here at westminster is the director—general of the confederation of british industry and also kate bell, assistant general secretary at the trade unions can result on the line from exeter is michelle evans, founder of small britain. thanks to all of you for being here with me. let's start with what we've heard about workers' rights. kate, was this what you were hoping for? rights. kate, was this what you were hoinu for? ~ , rights. kate, was this what you were hoping for?— hoping for? absolutely. i have to sa it was hoping for? absolutely. i have to say it was pretty _ hoping for? absolutely. i have to say it was pretty exciting - hoping for? absolutely. i have to say it was pretty exciting to i hoping for? absolutely. i have to say it was pretty exciting to hear| say it was pretty exciting to hear the king talking about delivering a new deal for working people. the king talking about delivering a new dealfor working people. we think that something that is long overdue in this country. a million people in insecure work. wages still not where they were before the financial crisis so a real need for an update of workers right here in the king's speech to deliver that and deliver that in the first 100

days. t and deliver that in the first 100 da s. ~' ., ., and deliver that in the first 100 das. ~ ., ., _ days. i think today obviously there will be a range _ days. i think today obviously there will be a range of— days. i think today obviously there will be a range of announcements| days. i think today obviously there i will be a range of announcements and i will be a range of announcements and i think— will be a range of announcements and i think having a government really focused _ i think having a government really focused on — i think having a government really focused on growth and productivity is absolutely what businesses want to hear _ is absolutely what businesses want to hear i _ is absolutely what businesses want to hear. i think on the new deal for workers. _ to hear. i think on the new deal for workers, what businesses want to do is, as— workers, what businesses want to do is, as we've — workers, what businesses want to do is, as we've done previously when we've _ is, as we've done previously when we've seen— is, as we've done previously when we've seen major changes to how our labour— we've seen major changes to how our labour market works, is to work in consultation— labour market works, is to work in consultation with business and trade unions _ consultation with business and trade unions to— consultation with business and trade unions to make sure that it has the outcomes— unions to make sure that it has the outcomes we all want, which is better— outcomes we all want, which is better paid secure work but also one that appreciates the flexibility and some _ that appreciates the flexibility and some of— that appreciates the flexibility and some of the questions i think businesses will have. the some of the questions i think businesses will have. the subtext of that sounds — businesses will have. the subtext of that sounds a _ businesses will have. the subtext of that sounds a bit _ businesses will have. the subtext of that sounds a bit like _ businesses will have. the subtext of that sounds a bit like you _ businesses will have. the subtext of that sounds a bit like you have i that sounds a bit like you have concerns. would that be fair? figs that sounds a bit like you have concerns. would that be fair? $5 a concerns. would that be fair? as a unanswered _ concerns. would that be fair? as a unanswered questions and we would hold the _ unanswered questions and we would hold the government to account and some _ hold the government to account and some of— hold the government to account and some of the questions they've made during _ some of the questions they've made during the _ some of the questions they've made during the campaign that they will consult _ during the campaign that they will consult with business and that consultation needs to be genuine so there _ consultation needs to be genuine so there are _ consultation needs to be genuine so there are lots of questions i think businesses have, for example, on if we have _ businesses have, for example, on if we have a _ businesses have, for example, on if we have a day when right to unfair dismissal. — we have a day when right to unfair dismissal, how can we have

meaningful probation periods and so i meaningful probation periods and so i think— meaningful probation periods and so i think some of that detail, that really— i think some of that detail, that really needs to be worked through so businesses _ really needs to be worked through so businesses can have the confidence to good _ businesses can have the confidence to good employment. | igrill businesses can have the confidence to good employment.— businesses can have the confidence to good employment. i will come to michelle in a _ to good employment. i will come to michelle in a moment _ to good employment. i will come to michelle in a moment but _ to good employment. i will come to michelle in a moment but kate i i to good employment. i will come to l michelle in a moment but kate i know you've done a lot of soundings amongst workers and lots of surveys but we've got protection against unfair dismissal from day one, statutory sick pay from the first day of illness, and enter zero—hour contracts, and enterfire and rehire. what are workers saying to you about levels of security that they feel? you about levels of security that the feel? ~ ., ~' , you about levels of security that they feel?— you about levels of security that the feel? ~ ., ~ , they feel? workers right across the olitical they feel? workers right across the political spectrum, _ they feel? workers right across the political spectrum, we _ they feel? workers right across the political spectrum, we did - they feel? workers right across the political spectrum, we did some i political spectrum, we did some polling after the election, i really supportive of these rights from day one rights to unfair dismissal and it is rights to protection from unfair dismissal, anything important to say that. we have answered time and time again you can dismiss someone fairly if they're not meeting performance indicators but no right to just dismiss someone because you don't like how they are getting on in the rolejob. we have

seen by across the political spectrum are real demand for those new rights and strong support for them. this is what the country once. it's what we need to set us on that route to a high productivity and we don't need to get on with that legislation being delivered. —— we now need to get on with that legislation being delivered. michelle from small business written, do you have concerns in terms of any impacts that may have smaller businesses? the terms of any impacts that may have smaller businesses?— smaller businesses? the devil is of course going _ smaller businesses? the devil is of course going to _ smaller businesses? the devil is of course going to be _ smaller businesses? the devil is of course going to be in _ smaller businesses? the devil is of course going to be in the _ smaller businesses? the devil is of course going to be in the detail- smaller businesses? the devil is ofj course going to be in the detail and most _ course going to be in the detail and most small— course going to be in the detail and most small businesses, _ course going to be in the detail and most small businesses, of- course going to be in the detail and most small businesses, of course, i course going to be in the detail and i most small businesses, of course, in the uk _ most small businesses, of course, in the uk and _ most small businesses, of course, in the uk and micro— most small businesses, of course, in the uk and micro businesses - most small businesses, of course, in the uk and micro businesses so i most small businesses, of course, in the uk and micro businesses so they| the uk and micro businesses so they don't _ the uk and micro businesses so they don't have _ the uk and micro businesses so they don't have big — the uk and micro businesses so they don't have big hr_ the uk and micro businesses so they don't have big hr teams— the uk and micro businesses so they don't have big hr teams and - the uk and micro businesses so they don't have big hr teams and it's i the uk and micro businesses so they don't have big hr teams and it's a i don't have big hr teams and it's a very different _ don't have big hr teams and it's a very different relationship - don't have big hr teams and it's a very different relationship often i very different relationship often between — very different relationship often between the _ very different relationship often between the employer- very different relationship often between the employer in - very different relationship often between the employer in the i very different relationship often i between the employer in the member of staff— between the employer in the member of staff and _ between the employer in the member of staff and they — between the employer in the member of staff and they are _ between the employer in the member of staff and they are in _ between the employer in the member of staff and they are in tiny _ between the employer in the member of staff and they are in tiny teams i of staff and they are in tiny teams often _ of staff and they are in tiny teams often in _ of staff and they are in tiny teams often in part— of staff and they are in tiny teams often in part of— of staff and they are in tiny teams often in part of the _ of staff and they are in tiny teams often in part of the family. - of staff and they are in tiny teams often in part of the family. oftenl often in part of the family. often the cork— often in part of the family. often the cork cares _ often in part of the family. often the cork cares very _ often in part of the family. often the cork cares very deeply- often in part of the family. often the cork cares very deeply about | the cork cares very deeply about their— the cork cares very deeply about their employees. _ the cork cares very deeply about their employees. we _ the cork cares very deeply about their employees. we are - the cork cares very deeply about j their employees. we are looking the cork cares very deeply about i their employees. we are looking at a very situation — their employees. we are looking at a very situation and _ their employees. we are looking at a very situation and often _ their employees. we are looking at a very situation and often they - their employees. we are looking at a very situation and often they are i very situation and often they are already— very situation and often they are already providing _ very situation and often they are already providing flexible - very situation and often they are i already providing flexible working but what — already providing flexible working but what does _ already providing flexible working but what does that _ already providing flexible working but what does that actually- already providing flexible workingl but what does that actually mean? already providing flexible working i but what does that actually mean? i think it's _ but what does that actually mean? i think it's really _ but what does that actually mean? i think it's really important _ but what does that actually mean? i think it's really important to - but what does that actually mean? i think it's really important to pull- think it's really important to pull that out —

think it's really important to pull that out. how's _ think it's really important to pull that out. how's that _ think it's really important to pull that out. how's that going i think it's really important to pull that out. how's that going to i think it's really important to pull. that out. how's that going to work in practice — that out. how's that going to work in practice in— that out. how's that going to work in practice in particular— that out. how's that going to work in practice in particular with- in practice in particular with probationary— in practice in particular with probationary periods? i in practice in particular with probationary periods? the. in practice in particular with- probationary periods? the power imbalance — probationary periods? the power imbalance is _ probationary periods? the power imbalance is very— probationary periods? the power imbalance is very different i probationary periods? the power imbalance is very different for i probationary periods? the power. imbalance is very different for tiny businesses — imbalance is very different for tiny businesses to _ imbalance is very different for tiny businesses to mob _ imbalance is very different for tiny businesses to mob bigger- imbalance is very different for tiny. businesses to mob bigger businesses and that's— businesses to mob bigger businesses and that's not— businesses to mob bigger businesses and that's not to _ businesses to mob bigger businesses and that's not to say _ businesses to mob bigger businesses and that's not to say that _ businesses to mob bigger businesses and that's not to say that small i and that's not to say that small businesses. _ and that's not to say that small businesses, you _ and that's not to say that small businesses, you know, - and that's not to say that small businesses, you know, don't i and that's not to say that small i businesses, you know, don't want to look after— businesses, you know, don't want to look after their— businesses, you know, don't want to look after their staff— businesses, you know, don't want to look after their staff and _ businesses, you know, don't want to look after their staff and give - businesses, you know, don't want to look after their staff and give them i look after their staff and give them all the _ look after their staff and give them all the appropriate _ look after their staff and give them all the appropriate protections. i all the appropriate protections. often, — all the appropriate protections. often, in — all the appropriate protections. often, in fact, _ all the appropriate protections. often, in fact, we _ all the appropriate protections. often, in fact, we hear- all the appropriate protections. often, in fact, we hearfromi all the appropriate protections. i often, in fact, we hear from small businesses — often, in fact, we hear from small businesses that— often, in fact, we hear from small businesses that they _ often, in fact, we hear from small businesses that they are _ often, in fact, we hear from small businesses that they are very i often, in fact, we hear from small| businesses that they are very keen and in _ businesses that they are very keen and in fact— businesses that they are very keen and in fact less _ businesses that they are very keen and in fact less likely— businesses that they are very keen and in fact less likely to _ businesses that they are very keen and in fact less likely to fire - and in fact less likely to fire staff— and in fact less likely to fire staff because _ and in fact less likely to fire staff because they- and in fact less likely to fire staff because they feel i and in fact less likely to fire staff because they feel like | and in fact less likely to fire - staff because they feel like they're members — staff because they feel like they're members of— staff because they feel like they're members of the _ staff because they feel like they're members of the family. _ staff because they feel like they're members of the family. of- staff because they feel like they're members of the family. of course | members of the family. of course thinking _ members of the family. of course thinking about _ members of the family. of course thinking about that _ members of the family. of course thinking about that minimum - members of the family. of course l thinking about that minimum wage piece _ thinking about that minimum wage biece as_ thinking about that minimum wage piece as welt, _ thinking about that minimum wage piece as well, we've _ thinking about that minimum wage piece as well, we've heard - thinking about that minimum wage piece as well, we've heard a - thinking about that minimum wage piece as well, we've heard a lot. piece as well, we've heard a lot from _ piece as well, we've heard a lot from smett— piece as well, we've heard a lot from small businesses - piece as well, we've heard a lot from small businesses how- piece as well, we've heard a lot from small businesses how the| from small businesses how the increase — from small businesses how the increase in— from small businesses how the increase in minimum _ from small businesses how the increase in minimum wage - from small businesses how the increase in minimum wage has| from small businesses how the - increase in minimum wage has really hit their— increase in minimum wage has really hit their costs — increase in minimum wage has really hit their costs and _ increase in minimum wage has really hit their costs and costs _ increase in minimum wage has really hit their costs and costs have - increase in minimum wage has really hit their costs and costs have gone . hit their costs and costs have gone up hit their costs and costs have gone up across — hit their costs and costs have gone op across the — hit their costs and costs have gone up across the board _ hit their costs and costs have gone up across the board for _ hit their costs and costs have gone up across the board for small- up across the board for small businesses _ up across the board for small businesses in _ up across the board for small businesses in the _ up across the board for small businesses in the last - up across the board for small businesses in the last couple| up across the board for small. businesses in the last couple of years— businesses in the last couple of years so— businesses in the last couple of years so it _ businesses in the last couple of years so it has _ businesses in the last couple of years so it has to, _ businesses in the last couple of years so it has to, of— businesses in the last couple of years so it has to, of course, i businesses in the last couple of| years so it has to, of course, be accompanied _ years so it has to, of course, be accompanied by— years so it has to, of course, be accompanied by that _ years so it has to, of course, be accompanied by that growth - years so it has to, of course, be l accompanied by that growth piece years so it has to, of course, be - accompanied by that growth piece and is also _ accompanied by that growth piece and is also talk— accompanied by that growth piece and is also talk about _ accompanied by that growth piece and is also talk about growth, _ accompanied by that growth piece and is also talk about growth, a _ accompanied by that growth piece and is also talk about growth, a lot - accompanied by that growth piece and is also talk about growth, a lot of - is also talk about growth, a lot of promises — is also talk about growth, a lot of promises for _ is also talk about growth, a lot of promises for growth, _ is also talk about growth, a lot of promises for growth, which - is also talk about growth, a lot of promises for growth, which is - is also talk about growth, a lot of . promises for growth, which is great and very— promises for growth, which is great and very exciting _ promises for growth, which is great and very exciting but _ promises for growth, which is great and very exciting but how— promises for growth, which is great and very exciting but how is - promises for growth, which is great and very exciting but how is it - and very exciting but how is it going — and very exciting but how is it going to — and very exciting but how is it going to be _ and very exciting but how is it going to be delivered? - and very exciting but how is it going to be delivered? and i and very exciting but how is it going to be delivered? and ini and very exciting but how is it - going to be delivered? and in order for smatt— going to be delivered? and in order for small businesses— going to be delivered? and in order for small businesses to _ going to be delivered? and in order for small businesses to be - going to be delivered? and in order for small businesses to be able - going to be delivered? and in order for small businesses to be able to i for small businesses to be able to detiver— for small businesses to be able to deliver on— for small businesses to be able to deliver on these _ for small businesses to be able to deliver on these things _ for small businesses to be able to deliver on these things we - for small businesses to be able to deliver on these things we need l for small businesses to be able to| deliver on these things we need to see that _ deliver on these things we need to see that both _ deliver on these things we need to see that both accompany- deliver on these things we need to see that both accompany it. - deliver on these things we need to see that both accompany it. he . see that both accompany it. he

mention see that both accompany it. mention the living wage and see that both accompany it.- mention the living wage and the minimum wage. welcome back to that point in a moment but i don't know if your organisation has the data for this but do you have any sort of number within your organisation that actually operates with the zero—hour contracts? actually operates with the zero-hour contracts? . , , . .,, , contracts? rarities wildly cross sector. contracts? rarities wildly cross sector- -- _ contracts? rarities wildly cross sector- -- it — contracts? rarities wildly cross sector. -- it varies _ contracts? rarities wildly cross sector. -- it varies wildly. - contracts? rarities wildly cross i sector. -- it varies wildly. that's sector. —— it varies wildly. that's not to— sector. —— it varies wildly. that's not to saym _ sector. —— it varies wildly. that's not to say... bear _ sector. —— it varies wildly. that's not to say... bear in _ sector. —— it varies wildly. that's not to say... bear in mind - sector. —— it varies wildly. that's not to say... bear in mind wheni sector. —— it varies wildly. that's - not to say... bear in mind when they talk about— not to say... bear in mind when they talk about exploitative _ not to say... bear in mind when they talk about exploitative zero—hour - talk about exploitative zero—hour contracts. — talk about exploitative zero—hour contracts. not— talk about exploitative zero—hour contracts, not all— talk about exploitative zero—hour contracts, not all zero—hour- contracts, not all zero—hour contracts _ contracts, not all zero—hour contracts would _ contracts, not all zero—hour contracts would be - contracts, not all zero—hour. contracts would be considered exptoitative _ contracts would be considered exploitative by _ contracts would be considered exploitative by workers. - contracts would be consideredi exploitative by workers. often workers — exploitative by workers. often workers what _ exploitative by workers. often workers what that _ exploitative by workers. often workers what that is _ exploitative by workers. often workers what that is part - exploitative by workers. often workers what that is part of i exploitative by workers. ofteni workers what that is part of the arrangement, _ workers what that is part of the arrangement, so— workers what that is part of the arrangement, so we _ workers what that is part of the arrangement, so we don't - workers what that is part of the arrangement, so we don't havei workers what that is part of the - arrangement, so we don't have the specific— arrangement, so we don't have the specific numbers _ arrangement, so we don't have the specific numbers and _ arrangement, so we don't have the specific numbers and what - arrangement, so we don't have the specific numbers and what an - specific numbers and what an exptoitative _ specific numbers and what an exploitative zero—hour- specific numbers and what an. exploitative zero—hour contract would — exploitative zero—hour contract would be — exploitative zero—hour contract would be percentage—wise - exploitative zero—hour contract. would be percentage—wise across exploitative zero—hour contract - would be percentage—wise across the 5.5 would be percentage—wise across the 55 million— would be percentage—wise across the 5.5 million small— would be percentage—wise across the 5.5 million small businesses, - would be percentage—wise across the 5.5 million small businesses, no. - 5.5 million small businesses, no. but, _ 5.5 million small businesses, no. but, of— 5.5 million small businesses, no. but, of course, _ 5.5 million small businesses, no. but, of course, you _ 5.5 million small businesses, no. but, of course, you look- 5.5 million small businesses, no. but, of course, you look in- 5.5 million small businesses, no. i but, of course, you look in sectors of hospitality— but, of course, you look in sectors of hospitality for _ but, of course, you look in sectors of hospitality for example - but, of course, you look in sectors of hospitality for example where l of hospitality for example where zero-hour — of hospitality for example where zero—hour contracts _ of hospitality for example where zero—hour contracts are - of hospitality for example where zero—hour contracts are very- of hospitality for example where - zero—hour contracts are very common. a huge _ zero—hour contracts are very common. a huge amount — zero—hour contracts are very common. a huge amount of— zero—hour contracts are very common. a huge amount of them _ zero—hour contracts are very common. a huge amount of them are _ zero—hour contracts are very common. a huge amount of them are small- a huge amount of them are small businesses — a huge amount of them are small businesses and _ a huge amount of them are small businesses and it's _ a huge amount of them are small businesses and it's something - a huge amount of them are smalll businesses and it's something that they need — businesses and it's something that they need in— businesses and it's something that they need in order— businesses and it's something that they need in order to— businesses and it's something that they need in order to be _ businesses and it's something that they need in order to be able - businesses and it's something that they need in order to be able to i they need in order to be able to operate — they need in order to be able to operate i— they need in order to be able to o erate. . r' they need in order to be able to oerate. . . they need in order to be able to oerate. . operate. i will ask you about some ofthe operate. i will ask you about some of the other— operate. i will ask you about some of the other bills _ operate. i will ask you about some of the other bills and _ operate. i will ask you about some of the other bills and they - operate. i will ask you about some of the other bills and they drive i of the other bills and they drive the growth in a minute but on that particular point about the living

wage minimum wage, can you... the institute for fiscal studies has warned recently about possible trade—offs with all of this to suggest that the costs involved could result in the lower wages for workers not protected by the national living wage? do you acknowledge that that is a possibility in amongst all the positivity that you see from today? first, all workers should be covered by the national living wage. that's their right. it is important to talk about the national living wage because of course when that was watching over 20 years ago we had these concerns aboutjob losses reported by business organisations, reported by business organisations, reported by business organisations, reported by certain political parties. we have seen that the most successful policy, often marked as the most successful policy for a generation. it's raised peoples living standards, hasn't affected employment and has affected growth and that's what we think these rights are going to do too and we should frankly think about the warnings we have heard there and how they haven't come to pass and get on with delivering this increase in

security for working people. mar; with delivering this increase in security for working people. may be able 'ust security for working people. may be able just add _ security for working people. may be able just add on _ security for working people. may be able just add on that. _ security for working people. may be able just add on that. as _ security for working people. may be able just add on that. as kate - security for working people. may be | able just add on that. as kate would say, some _ able just add on that. as kate would say, some areas that have been set ”p say, some areas that have been set up to— say, some areas that have been set up to date _ say, some areas that have been set up to date everybody is absolutely behind, _ up to date everybody is absolutely behind, a — up to date everybody is absolutely behind, a single enforcement body to make _ behind, a single enforcement body to make sure _ behind, a single enforcement body to make sure everyone is offering the national— make sure everyone is offering the national living wage is obviously the law— national living wage is obviously the law and i think all employers stand _ the law and i think all employers stand behind us i think that's really— stand behind us i think that's really important. to build on what michelle _ really important. to build on what michelle was saying, some of the questions — michelle was saying, some of the questions around zero—hour contracts as a lot _ questions around zero—hour contracts as a lot of _ questions around zero—hour contracts as a lot of people like the flexibility within some of their contracts and also how do we take account _ contracts and also how do we take account of— contracts and also how do we take account of being able to offer over time? _ account of being able to offer over time? how— account of being able to offer over time? how do we deal with seasonal work? _ time? how do we deal with seasonal work? how— time? how do we deal with seasonal work? how do we deal with peak demand — work? how do we deal with peak demand in — work? how do we deal with peak demand in hospitality and retail? so ithink— demand in hospitality and retail? so i think these are just questions that need — i think these are just questions that need to be worked through that we see _ that need to be worked through that we see a _ that need to be worked through that we see a genuine consultation in the coming _ we see a genuine consultation in the coming days. i know businesses stand ready— coming days. i know businesses stand ready to _ coming days. i know businesses stand ready to work through that as we have _ ready to work through that as we have done — ready to work through that as we have done previously. let any a lot of people _ have done previously. let any a lot of people have been looking at about employment status as well. some wider— employment status as well. some wider issues we were talking about before _

wider issues we were talking about before we — wider issues we were talking about before we came on air and you both absolutely— before we came on air and you both absolutely a part of the drive for growth — absolutely a part of the drive for growth so — absolutely a part of the drive for growth so in terms of what you've heard _ growth so in terms of what you've heard you — growth so in terms of what you've heard you encouraged? yes, absolutely — heard you encouraged? yes, absolutely having _ heard you encouraged? yes, absolutely having that - heard you encouraged? yes, absolutely having that focus | heard you encouraged? ,,3 absolutely having that focus on growth is what we need to see and i think many businesses have said they stand ready to invest but they can't get the planning permission they need to help build so many of the homes we know we need throughout the country. i think having a more strategic approach to where and transport is being created, infrastructure, and evolving some of that to local areas i think is really converging and these are some of the things that businesses have been asking for because we know the vast majority of growth needs to come in the private sector, it needs to come from private sector investment to really help to deliver the growth that helps to fund our public services so that's where we will want to hold the government to account and delivering many of the things they set out in the king's speech today? i things they set out in the king's speech today?— things they set out in the king's speech today? things they set out in the king's seech toda ? ~ ., i. . speech today? i know you agree with most of that — speech today? i know you agree with most of that but _ speech today? i know you agree with most of that but in _ speech today? i know you agree with most of that but in terms _ speech today? i know you agree with most of that but in terms of- speech today? i know you agree with most of that but in terms of the - most of that but in terms of the people you represent they almost want to know when is it that they will feel better off, certainly more

secure and certainly what we heard right at the start of the king's speech was just an element, of course, and we had it in the election campaign, but it was underlined again today. this is going to take time and people are going to take time and people are going to take time and people are going to have to bear that in mind as they look for the change that certainly this government has been voted in full. band certainly this government has been voted in full-— voted in full. and i think people understand _ voted in full. and i think people understand the _ voted in full. and i think people understand the economic - voted in full. and i think people | understand the economic legacy voted in full. and i think people i understand the economic legacy of voted in full. and i think people - understand the economic legacy of 13 years of the conservative government stagnant growth, low productivity, an investment in skills and public services and a race to the bottom on rates. ,, , �* , . . ., rates. sherbet it's human nature to sa where rates. sherbet it's human nature to say where is _ rates. sherbet it's human nature to say where is the _ rates. sherbet it's human nature to say where is the change _ rates. sherbet it's human nature to say where is the change and - rates. sherbet it's human nature to say where is the change and that'sl say where is the change and that's what's so important about employment right changes. what's so important about employment right changes-— right changes. some will take time and we've got _ right changes. some will take time and we've got to _ right changes. some will take time and we've got to have _ right changes. some will take time and we've got to have consultation i and we've got to have consultation of course but that can deliver real tangible change for people. i also think people will be encouraged setting down people's new commitment to skills and address business and skill sausages and get people the

new skills they need to deal with the climate transition, transition to new forms of technology. i think we've see no real intention of progress today but of course those working people will want the government to deliver on those intense? �* . government to deliver on those intense? . . ., . intense? and we have to leave it there. intense? and we have to leave it there- very _ intense? and we have to leave it there. very grateful _ intense? and we have to leave it there. very grateful for - intense? and we have to leave it there. very grateful for your - intense? and we have to leave it i there. very grateful for your time. thanks all of you thing here with me. we keep an eye on this picture is from the comments. we return there at the moment but in our discussions we were of course talking about the backdrop, the legacy, the public purse, so let's dwell on that for the next few minutes because the government's parities and promises, we've seen those outlined but bbc verify�*s ben has been looking at some of the challenges this comment also faces. we got a sense from the king's speech today about what this government regards as its top priorities and long term objectives. so what are they?

well, raising gdp growth with a planning and infrastructure bill and also a national wealth fund bill, devolving more powers within english devolution bill, delivering net zero with a gb energy bill and also bolstering workers rights with an employment rights bill. keir starmer�*s government were not directly addressed in the king's speech, and let's explore some of them. first, public sector pay deals. decisions on pay rises for nhs staff, teachers, police and prison guards in england for 2024—25 have to be taken by the end of this month and the government may find it needs to find an extra £7 billion per year to prevent the wages of these public sector workers from falling further behind their counterparts in the private sector. so you can see from this the average private sector inflation—adjusted wages are around 4% higher than they were in 2010. but public sector wages, they're around 2.5% lower. and the average pay of nurses, teachers and doctors is even lower. so finding an extra £7 billion per year to change this picture would be challenging, given

the government's chosen restraints on its spending and taxation powers. but if it fails to do this, it could find its targets to recruit more teachers and nurses even harder to achieve. also not really mentioned were local councils. a survey of local authority leaders earlier this year found around i in 10 were likely to have to effectively declare bankruptcy this financial year, which would force painful cuts in local services, and around 5 in 10 said they were likely to go bust in this parliament unless local government funding is reformed. now, ministers could give struggling councils a direct financial top—up to keep them afloat, but that would also be expensive for the treasury. third, not really mentioned were universities, the £9,250 per year tuition fee that universities in england can charge domestic students has been frozen in cash terms since 2017. this has led to warnings some universities could well go bankrupt in 202a. so, do ministers allow universities to generate more income

by raising that tuition fee? that would likely not go down very well with students. and to add to this list of items not really mentioned today, we can add the fate of the highly indebted thames water, which only has enough cash to last until next may. there is a bill in the king's speech to enhance the water regulator's powers, but it doesn't determine what the future of thames will be. and then there are prisons which are almost full and projected to be overflowing. the planning reforms in the king's speech could help deliver more prison—building, but the bigger issue of reform of sentencing is not addressed. so, solving these problems doesn't necessarily require legislation, but it will require decisions from ministers, sometimes in the coming months, and those decisions have the potential to be very unpopular with some people or very expensive for the government,

and they have as much potential to shape this government's fortunes as what is outlined in the king's speech. then with some of the challenges. let's turn to an area we've not touched on so far in the discussions of these new bills because there is a bill we heard a little earlier to make spiking drinks a specific offence so let's talk to dawn, the ceo and founder of stamp out spiking. she is here on the green with me. welcome to the programme and a big smile on yourface because you've been campaigning for this to be a specific offence? i you've been campaigning for this to be a specific offence?— be a specific offence? i have. i've been campaigning _ be a specific offence? i have. i've been campaigning for— be a specific offence? i have. i've been campaigning for the - be a specific offence? i have. i've been campaigning for the last - be a specific offence? i have. i've been campaigning for the last 20 | been campaigning for the last 20 years because we've got men and women across our country that are being spiked. when not gaining convictions, not getting samples in time so we'll need to be invested in this. , . . ., ., this. give me an idea of the sort of numbers we _ this. give me an idea of the sort of numbers we are _ this. give me an idea of the sort of numbers we are talking _ this. give me an idea of the sort of numbers we are talking about - this. give me an idea of the sort of. numbers we are talking about because the stories you hear are horrifying accounts? they really are. last

year, the national police chief counsel told us there were over 6000 reports on here stamp out spiking they have done a national surgery, so they are 97% of victims didn't report this crime to the police so this could be 100,000 people we're talking about and it is usually under the reported crime and that's what we need to change. but there are laws that cover this area so why is it so important to have have specific laws to cover this events?— have have specific laws to cover this events? the antiquated laws made in 1861. _ this events? the antiquated laws made in 1861, poison _ this events? the antiquated laws made in 1861, poison with - this events? the antiquated laws - made in 1861, poison with obnoxious substance that had to be proved it was done with malicious intent and hear it stamp out spiking we have to realise these laws have to be updated. it's much spiking three drinks. you can spike through vapes, through food, via injection, so really these laws need to be updated to modern day times. is it really these laws need to be updated to modern day times.— to modern day times. is it realistic to modern day times. is it realistic to think of — to modern day times. is it realistic to think of you _ to modern day times. is it realistic to think of you have _ to modern day times. is it realistic to think of you have a _ to modern day times. is it realistic to think of you have a specific - to think of you have a specific offence more people go forward because as you said so many times,

this is something that is reported? we believe that people will start coming forward because, number one, it's going to show zero tolerance. number two, we believe that the government are going to have to start putting funding in. we need to train street pastors, door supervisors, bar owners, restaurant owners, people who work in the day in the night—time economy so that everybody�*s got an immediate call to action and they know what to do to safeguard people if they have been spiked. just safeguard people if they have been siked., , . . safeguard people if they have been siked. , . . ., , , spiked. just a final thought because i think i'm right _ spiked. just a final thought because i think i'm right in _ spiked. just a final thought because i think i'm right in saying _ spiked. just a final thought because i think i'm right in saying this - spiked. just a final thought because i think i'm right in saying this is - i think i'm right in saying this is only for england and wales and in scotland with devolve powers it doesn't cover that, is that right? yes, you are right, but we will be hitting upon those countries as well. at the end of the day, spiking as a global issue. it's notjust happening him in the uk. it's happening him in the uk. it's happening on a global scale. done, we have to — happening on a global scale. done, we have to leave _ happening on a global scale. done, we have to leave it _ happening on a global scale. done, we have to leave it there _ happening on a global scale. done, we have to leave it there but - happening on a global scale. done, we have to leave it there but thank| we have to leave it there but thank you for coming in to talk to me and just gives that perspective. going back to the commons, in the last little while we've had the start of that vile address. it is still going

on. we will have the leaders intervene and start speaking and responding to what we heard on the king's speech in the next few minutes but let's go back and hear more of the royal address.- more of the royal address. there were a few _ more of the royal address. there were a few brave _ more of the royal address. there were a few brave spanish - more of the royal address. there were a few brave spanish fans - were a few brave spanish fans proudly wearing the colours of though, mr speaker, they may have been just the though, mr speaker, they may have beenjust the snp though, mr speaker, they may have been just the snp mps. and we are also home... and we are also home to also home... and we are also home to a number of mps advocacy groups, journalists, which means sometimes when i'm trying to avoid a journalist are politely decline in invitation, i often get hit with the dreaded line, oh, but i'm a constituent, as well. i do warn journalists and members that i will continue with my policy of giving no special treatment when you come up to me with any casework. like many

continuing mps, the areal to me with any casework. like many continuing mps, the area i represent has changed significantly in the selection following the boundary review. this means that i sadly know love the represent one of the brixton estates i grew up on, as well as my church and mailed primary school. the church is central to my life and it's a microcosm of lambeth. after mass, i can see the impatience of my family's face as i often discuss various casework from the congregation and ijust want often discuss various casework from the congregation and i just want to reassure my honourable friend, the member for clapham and brixton reassure my honourable friend, the memberfor clapham and brixton hill, you are going to receive multiple blessings for these various casework. and i know the wards that i lose will be represented by her. but then again, mr speaker, based on past experience, not all the journalist and lobbyists will notice that anything is likely changed. if the house will indulge me, i wish to briefly speak to a couple of policy issues close to my heart and those

of my constituents, which i'm most looking forward to working with the new labour government on. now, as an mp, one of the hardest conversations any of us will have are with the victims of violent crime. i've sat in many front rooms holding grieving mothers and farmers and they tell me about their loved ones who've been taken too soon. and with every hug and tear wiped away, i can feel there pain and the impact this has on the wider siblings and other family members? crime vapes community apart, leaving too many people vulnerable and open to exploitation in one of the areas i'm proud of working on is on preventing abuse of gang associated girls,

whose mistreatment is sadlyjust one example of why our streets need to be safer. the home secretary's commitment to having rates of violence against women and improving support for victims should be welcomed across the house. over the last couple of years, i've seen first—hand the impact of the cost of living high is and this has had my constituents in vauxhall and campbell green in communities right across the country. we all know that tackling climate change is one of the most urgent issues facing our world and we cannot delay any meaningful action on this any longer. and therefore very pleased that the government is committed to addressing both these issues with an investment in clean energy transition that will lower energy bills for households as well as restoring the uk's reputation as a climate leader. but, mr speaker, for

millions of working people, real change will not come without action on housing. that's why i welcome the deputy prime minister's plans to build 1.5 million new homes across the country including a new wave of council houses like the one that gave me in my family that security. you see, mr speaker, i still remember that daily commute from the b&b in king's cross and the excitement on my mums face when we received to permanent housing. we no longer had to look at belongings in a black bag but sadly this is the case for so many people still in 202012 four. vauxhall and campbell green is home to a high number of people, many of whom are private renters. the power of section 21 gives immoral landlords to evict tenants for new region as an outrage. i'm glad that this government will finally ban no—fault

evictions for good. lastly, implied to be an advocate for the bad location of hiv and aids —— i am proud to be an advocate for the eradication of hiv and aids, an issue on which we have made so much process in recent months. way thanks to sir eltonjohn for his work in this field over the last a0 years. it was a fantastic event and our new prime minister reaffirmed his commitment to ending new hiv transmissions in the uk by 2030. coincidentally, it also means that today's royal event, i've had the privilege of speaking and it's the second one in the last 12 months because we can all agree, sir elton is music royalty. this parliament sees a large churn of mps may take this opportunity to congratulate and welcome new members? literally, do

not worry if you get lost. i have been here almost five years and i still get lost. my one piece of advice is this: make sure you know where westminster hall is because he will always find that member for strangford there, on hand to point to in the right direction. although this is after he has finished speaking at whatever debate is going on that day. and whilst it was wonderful seeing so many labour mps when on the ath ofjuly, it was mixed with a slight sadness that we had to say goodbye to colleagues who worked across this house with great dedication for their constituents. i am delighted to see the member for cities and westminster in a place on these benches but i would like to reference the importance of the work i did with her predecessor, my friend nikki aitken. as the two mps responsible for westminster bridge, we work together in the last parliament, not only to commemorate the horrific westminster bridge

attack, which happened in 2017, where six people sadly lost their lives, including the late pc keith palmer. we also worked to improve the safety of what is a very busy and active part of london. she worked tirelessly to make sure we brought in the petty care act, despite the persistent objections from the member of christchurch which i am sure new members will get used to. i also paid tribute to the outgoing father of the house, sir peter bottomley. like new mps are members, i rememberwalking in as peter bottomley. like new mps are members, i remember walking in as a new mp into a meeting of the all parliamentary party group for votes at 16. the room was buzzing with excitement and energy in all these young people and to my surprise, sir peter was in the chair. he really proved that age is just a number. peter was in the chair. he really proved that age isjust a number. i must mention my good friend and former constituency neighbour the

new baroness harriet harman. her a2 years in office blazed the trail for the rights of women in politics and wider society. when harriet was elected, just 3% of mps where women and now this figure stands at a0%. s0 and now this figure stands at a0%. so while there is some way to go, that rise is a testament to her daring work and drive to never take no for an answer. and while i am daunted to have the responsibility of representing parts of her former constituency in camberwell green, i could not have had a better example to learn from. my pledge to her and to learn from. my pledge to her and to the new constituents is that i will do my best to carry on her legacy and be a strong voice in parliament for those communities. lastly, i cannot think of a more fitting replacement as the mother of the house than my good friend, our

auntie, the right honourable member for hackney south, north and stoke newington. she was elected when i was just six years old and seeing her in the media, making a voice of black women heard in parliament, gave me the confidence that i could stand here and make sure that people in my community could have a voice in my community could have a voice in the decisions that impact them. we stand on your shoulders and we respect and salute you, thank you. i welcome the government does not plan to introduce draft equalities race legislation to build on this work and look forward to working with ministers to develop it. we should not underestimate the difficulty is that both baroness harman and the right honourable member for hackney, north and stoke newington have gone through to make sure their voices are heard and the challenges they face even now. but their trailblazing examples means that those of us elected today face far

fewer challenges in representing our communities and we have more friends to go through those challenges with. and because of them, mr speaker, it means that a black working class girl from a south london estate can stand before you today with the honour of seconding this a loyal address. , ., , , address. the question is the humble address. the question is the humble address be presented _ address. the question is the humble address be presented to _ address. the question is the humble address be presented to his - address. the question is the humble address be presented to his majesty as follows, most gracious sovereign, we, your— as follows, most gracious sovereign, we, your majesty's most and loyal subjects. — we, your majesty's most and loyal subjects, of the united kingdom of great _ subjects, of the united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland, in parliament assembled beg leave to offer our— in parliament assembled beg leave to offer our humble thanks to your maiesty— offer our humble thanks to your majesty for the gracious speech that your majesty has address to both houses— your majesty has address to both houses of— your majesty has address to both houses of parliament. i now call the leader— houses of parliament. i now call the leader of— houses of parliament. i now call the leader of the opposition, rishi sunak — sunak. thank you, mr sunak. — thank you, mr speaker. before i turn to the address, i am sure the whole

house would like to join me to the address, i am sure the whole house would like tojoin me in paying tribute to his majesty the king. it is typical of his dedication to duty that despite the medical challenges he has recently faced, he was here today to open parliament and will travel to the commonwealth government meeting in samoa and australia this autumn. the king is a true model of public service. i know that the prime minister will value his audiences with his majesty as much as i did and i think we all recognise that the king is aided by the constant support of her majesty the queen and i know the whole house willjoin me in wishing her a happy birthday. today we also pay tribute to tony lloyd. tony served the people of greater manchester for a5 years and a36 of those is a member of this house. he was a great parliamentarian, kind and wise. his family should have enormous pride in the contribution he made to this place and to the community that he

loved and served. they are in all our thoughts today. i would also like to malcolm all new members to their places. being elected as a member of parliament is a great honour and a great responsibility. we serve our communities and our united kingdom. i know that whatever our political differences might be, we are all motivated by a desire to make life better for our constituents and our country. i know that the whole house willjoin me in deploring the assassination attempt on president trump. 0ur deploring the assassination attempt on president trump. our thoughts are with the victims. violence and intimidation have no place in the democratic process. now, mr speaker, icommend democratic process. now, mr speaker, i commend the proposer on his excellent speech. i know that the whole house will agree with me the honourable memberfor bootle has set a very high bar for speeches in this new parliament. my little sister always reminds me that being the youngest means you have to learn how to make yourself heard well. well, the honourable bamber is

the youngest of eight and it really shows. —— mcgrady honourable member. i had the good fortune of getting to know the honourable member when he was shadow chief secretary to the treasury and he was always courteous and pleasant as an opposite number to me. as he outlined, he comes from a family committed to public service, both of his great uncles were members of this house and he himself, even though he was very modest about it, has been in public service for more than a0 years. the new members of this house have much to learn from the honourable gentleman. and i knowl to learn from the honourable gentleman. and i know i speakfor the whole house in saying how much we all admire his personal bravery in campaigning for more victim support following the tragic death of his daughter in a hit and run accident. now not only is he one of the most popular members of this house, as we heard, he is also the most popular constituency mp.

laughter enjoying the biggest majority of any member of this place and in a recent election, he even won an astonishing 8a% of the vote. he might be the only person who can persuade kim jong—un of the benefits of democracy. laughter although the people's republic of bootle does not quite have the same ring to it. now i wonder, though, i wonder whether he was chosen to speak today actually to head off him reintroducing his ten minute rule bill. i speak of because of the honourable member's bill of a four—day week. i'm not sure if he has consulted with his whips on how compatible that would be with their desire to make fridays a new norm sitting day. i will say this to the honourable gentleman, if they won't let him have his ten minute rule bill, he should work to rule. although, i suspect the labour member for merseyside needs

although, i suspect the labour memberfor merseyside needs no tips from this former banker on trade union organising. now, the honourable memberfor union organising. now, the honourable member for voxel and camberwell green spoke with typical verve. she is someone inspired by a desire to serve and her strong faith but she never lets any of this goes to her head. today, she was chosen because of the high regard she is held in but she is also one of the kindest members of this house. regularly baking victoria sponges for her staff and others, although post the election result, perhaps red velvet might now be on the menu. the honourable lady has campaigned bravely against gang violence, both in the london assembly and in this house and she is so right, that we must not become desensitised to knife crime. she represents the place where she grew up and does so with passion and determination. and now that i have a lot more time on my hands, i intend to be a regular visitor to her constituency, especially in the summer months, one

of my favourite places to watch cricket is the oval. as prime minister, i had the privilege of playing there with the wonderful emily wayne spread brent and the young black cricketers. i applaud the honourable lady for her work with that scheme. i reassure her i won't go as far as the last conservative prime minister to speak from this dispatch box, who proposed removing that part of her constituency to a desert island along with his eight favourite records. the honourable lady's story is truly an inspirational one. to go from caring from your mother as a teenager to this house shows what is possible in our country. but the online abuse of the honourable member and an experience which is far too common in this house, shows one of the challenges facing our democracy. the intimidation that some candidates received in this election both physical and digital was completely unacceptable and is a threat to our electoral process.

there can be no excuse, mr speaker, for threats of physical violence or intimidate three protests outside politicians�* homes. the honourable lady will have tipped second to the loyal address because they have her down as one that will go far. if i offer some words of advice. on the government benches, life comes at you fast. soon you might be fortunate enough to be tapped on the shoulder and offered a junior ministerial role. then, you will find yourself attending cabinet. then, in the cabinet, and then when the prime minister�*s position becomes untenable, you might... laughter you might end up being called to the highest office. and before you know it, you have a bright future behind you and... and you are left wondering whether you can credibly be an elder statesman at the age of aa now, it is right by

congratulating the prime minister and his decisive victory in the election. he takes on the most demanding ofjobs in an increasingly uncertain world in which we live. the party opposite has successfully tapped into the public�*s desire for change. but they now must deliver change. but they now must deliver change and we on the side of the house will hold them accountable for delivering on the commitments that they made to the british people. in they made to the british people. in the national interest, we will not oppose for the sake of it but when we disagree with the government, it is our responsibility as the opposition to say so. what will guide us will be our principles, sound public finances, a belief that people know how to spend their own money better than governments do, that private enterprise are not state intervention is the key to delivering growth and prosperity. public services that work for those who need them and an education system that gives everyone the best start in life. secure borders and a strong national defence. iwelcome the government�*s decision to bring

forward martin�*s law. i am sure the prime minister will find, as i did, that one of the most humbling parts of the job is seeing people whose lives have been touched by tragedy and seeing how they don�*t turn to anger or bitterness backed campaign to ensure that other families do not have to endure the same pain that they did. i particularly commend fieger murray for her work to get this law unto the statute book. i assure her this measure will command consensus in this house and we will work with the government to make sure that it becomes law as soon as possible. i am also glad the government will continue with plans for a smoke—free generation. i know there are deeply held views on both sides of this issue and i have deep respect for those, especially on my own benches, who disagree with me on this question. measures that end access to products are never easy but i do believe that ensuring that our children can be the first generation that doesn�*t have to suffer the false choice to quit smoking or not because they will

have never started is a truly worthy aim. it will make us are healthier and fairer country, where people live longer and better lives. the first duty of government is the defence of the realm and we are fortunate in our country to be protected by armed forces who are unrivalled in the world for their professionalism, bravery and skill. i know the whole house will agree with me that they are truly the best of us. every month in my previous job, i became more concerned about the threats to our country�*s security. we live in an increasingly uncertain world. we need greater investment in our military if we are to deter our enemies and defend our interests. as i warned earlier this year, there is an access of authoritarian states who are a threat to our values, freedom, democracy and the rule of law and we must collectively stand up to them. the world is more dangerous now than it has been at any time since the

end of the cold war. so i would urge the prime minister to commit to boosting defence spending to 2.5% of gdp by 2030. and if we lead the way on this, we can make 2.5% the new nato benchmark for defence investment. this is the single best way to strengthen the alliance. it will show the americans that we do not expect them to bear every burden and it would show president putin that nato is serious about bolstering its defences and will also be the most effective way to deter further acts of russian aggression. in the last four years, there has been an impressive amount of consensus across the house on foreign policy, on the importance of supporting ukraine, on the centrality of nato to our national defence. in that spirit, i commend the prime minister on his work at the prime minister on his work at the nato summit and i am glad that he and the secretary of state for defence have taken such rapid steps to demonstrate that while the government has changed, this country�*s commitment to ukraine�*s

security remains constant. i also welcome the right honourable member of tottenham to the middle east. it is of fundamental importance to this country that as we make real progress towards a two state solution, ourfriend and progress towards a two state solution, our friend and ally israel has a right to defend itself and to live in peace. let me turn next to another crucial issue facing not just our country but the broader western world, illegal migration. the fundamental question is, what to do with people who arrive here illegally but not cannot —— cannot be returned to their own country? our approach was to send them to a third country, the prime minister is clear he was going to scrap that plan and he has done so. without that deterrent, the country will have to accept a large number of those who cross the channel illegally will end up remaining here. how to prevent that is something that the government will soon look to address. when it comes to illegal migration, i urge the

home secretary to retain the measures that we implemented which are forecast to halve net migration in the next 12 months. if i may turn next to the economy, i understand well that the chancellor is keen to paint a bleak picture as possible but i would just gently point out that this is not exactly what the facts say. inflation at 2%, unemployment a% and the fastest—growing economy the g7 so far this year. the party opposite has inherited an economy that is already on an upward trajectory. now, the government, the government have set out plans, the government has set out plans to strengthen the role of the office for budget responsibility and we will examine those proposals carefully. but the work of the obr already means that the party opposite did have the full details of the public finances when they set out their manifesto. the

obr has rightly taken away from government the ability to make forecasts say what they want them to but they have also taken away from oppositions coming into government the ability to say that they did not know the true state of the public finances. as pauljohnson of the institute for fiscal studies have said, the books are wide open, fully transparent. in his words, trying to pretend that things are worse than expected really won�*t wash. now the party opposite promised no tax rises on working people and no plans for tax rises beyond what is in their manifesto in full knowledge of the public finances. it would be difficult for them to claim that things are worse than they thought and then renege on those pledges and we will hold the government to its own promises come the budget. i know plans for a new employment legislation. 0ur employment rate is far lower than the european average and that is thanks in part to our

flexible labour market. i would urge the party upset not to impose new burdens on businesses, that business leaders themselves have warned of the unintended consequences of those plans, that they could lead to firms being less likely to invest, less likely to hire and so increasing unemployment in the long term. i further note to the government does not desire to impose new potentially rigid legislation on technologies like artificial intelligence. we are third only to the us and china in the size of our fast growing technology sector and lead to the world when it comes to ai safety. we should all in this house be careful not to endanger this country�*s leading position in this field which will drive growth and prosperity for decades to come. while today because that speech did contain a slew of bills, what was missing was a concrete plan to tackle the unsustainable post covid rise in the welfare bill. without action, the cost of providing benefits to the working age population with a

disability or health condition will rise to £90 billion. more than we spend on our national defence, schools or policing. that is not only unsustainable but also unfair to taxpayers and that is why in government we had laid out a plan to significantly reduce the welfare bill but crucially, to support all those that could back into work. i hope the government looks at those proposals when it has the time to study them in detail. on the side of the house, we will continue to advocate for a welfare system that is both compassionate and fair to those who need it but also fair to those who need it but also fair to those who need it but also fair to those who pay for it. the government has set out plans to change the planning system. we will of course study these thoroughly as welcome as we all wish to see more homes bill and the planning process speeded up. but i would say that a system that does not allow local people to have a say will damage public consent for more housing in the long term. i regret, i regret that there was no mention of rural

communities and farming in the king�*s speech, much like my own, but i hope in time, the government will bring forward proposals. turning to net zero, this country has deep and urbanised quicker than any other major country. —— de carbonised. we have done that was growing economy. across this hole has and in as a country i know we will be proud of this achievement. the government plans to decarbonise the grid by 2030 but there is a real danger that if the government puts the speed of doing this ahead of family finances and our energy security, then we will again lose publics consent for the measures necessary to ensure that we actually reach our 2050 net zero targets. a target on which there is genuine a consensus between there is genuine a consensus between the two parties. as even one of the prime minister because my own supporters want, this will mean we will have to import our energy, strategically we become more vulnerable, we will pay more money

for our energy. sol hope vulnerable, we will pay more money for our energy. so i hope the energy secretary reflects on those thoughts. lastly, the government has set out plans for reforms to the other place. looking at the benches opposite, there can be no doubt about the government�*s ability to get them through this house. but the effects of these changes will last long beyond this parliament. long beyond our ten years in these jobs. i would suggest that when it comes to constitutional reform, it would be good to proceed on a cross—party basis, ratherthan be good to proceed on a cross—party basis, rather than to use a simple majority in this house to push things through. and that consensus should include, should include the crossbenchers whose convener would be removed by the government has not proposals. i also suspect that the public would prefer the government to prioritise practical real—world issues over constitutional wrangling. however, iwelcome issues over constitutional wrangling. however, i welcome the news that the government has paused on their plan to force members of the other place to retire at 80. this proposal always felt like it

would be a blunt instrument and indeedin would be a blunt instrument and indeed in the dissolution honours, the prime minister nominated the former right honourable memberfor derby south, rightly, will be a strong addition to the other place, despite the right honourable lady being already over the retirement age it proposed. let me close by saying we of course recognise that the british people have entrusted the british people have entrusted the party upset with the task of governing our country. on our side of the house, we will fulfil our duties as the loyal opposition, professionally and effectively. and across this house, we are all first and foremost patriots. we all wish to see our country and our people flourish and succeed and in that spirit, i wish the new prime minister and the new government well. i minister and the new government well. ., u, minister and the new government well. ., ~ , well. i now call the prime minister, sir keir starmer. _ sir keirstarmer. cheering thank you, mr speaker. before we

begin, may ijoin the leader of the opposition in his tribute to his majesty the king. it is so heartening to see him in his rightful place, delivering the gracious speech and i am sure the whole house will not mind once again wishing him a speedy recovery. can i alsojoin in wishing her majesty the queen a happy birthday? mr speaker, we also wish president trump a speedy recovery from the appalling attempt on his life at the weekend. i spoke with president trump on sunday night to pass our best wishes, but also to share our revulsion at the senseless violence which has no place in democracy. last time this addressed to place, when i stood at the dispatch box, i could see, for the first time, that their new plaque now behind me

commemorating the memory of sir david ames. i know how hard that loss was for members on the opposite benches. and now, standing on this side, i can see for the first time in front of me the plaque to our dearfriend jo cox. in front of me the plaque to our dear friend jo cox. with in front of me the plaque to our dearfriend jo cox. with her words that catch the air of this chamber even more at a moment like this, "more in common." so while our thoughts at this time are with president trump and the american people, we cannot think that this is something that only happens elsewhere. we must heed the words of president biden, to lower the temperature of our democracy, work across our disagreements and find each other�*s common decency. mr speaker, i also want to congratulate the england football team for their achievements in the euros, something the leader of the

opposition and i were talking about this morning. yes, the trophy eluded us again, but the team can be proud of another exceptional performance, something i am sure the whole house would be only too pleased to recognise. would be only too pleased to recognise-— recognise. laughter and we _ recognise. laughter and we pay _ recognise. laughter and we pay tribute i recognise. laughter and we pay tribute to i recognise. laughter - and we pay tribute to gareth southgate, who shouldered the burden of national leadership with such dignity. mr speaker, this government has been elected to deliver nothing less than national renewal, to stop the chaos of the past 1a years, turn the page on an era of politics as a noisy performance and return it to public service. and start the work of rebuilding our country. a determined rebuilding, a patient rebuilding, a calm rebuilding. a rejection in this complicated and volatile world of

those who can only offer the easy answer, the snake oil charm of populism. mr speaker, as the last 1a years has shown, that road is a dead end for this country. it does nothing to fix our foundations and the british people have rejected it, as they have throughout our history. what people really want is change, and change is what this government of service will deliver. a king�*s speech that takes the brakes of our economy and shows to the british people that politics can be a force for good, the vehicle for improving lives of millions, no matter who you voted for. mr speaker, it is a day when we get on with the serious business of government. and yet a house with no time for levity would go against the grain of our traditions, so it�*s

fantastic to hear my honourable friend the member from fantastic to hear my honourable friend the memberfrom bootle in such fine fetal today and proposing the humble address. he spoke with great passion, as he always does, for his constituency. famous as he himself mentioned, for the anthony gormley sculptures. it is entitled another place, a collection of gently rusting figures and for whom the tide is perpetually coming in. laughter a solid grounding should he ever consider a career in the other place. but i�*m sure this house will agree. he is also one of the warmest and most generous members. a generosity that the head of a previous election extended to an offer to hand deliver conservative

leaflets, a commitment to the democratic process that should be applauded, not least because it resulted in a stonking increase in his majority for labour. but, mr speaker, as anyone who knows my honourable friend will confirm, while he does like to relax with a glass of wine and listen to engelbert humperdinck, the hymn, family always comes first. and the leader of the opposition referred to his daughter. and growing up, he was cared for by his four sisters and now he is never happier than when he�*s with his grandchildren, who are convinced that he knows mary poppins personally, i believe, i note, he has never discouraged. —— a belief, i note. he has been a tremendous servant to ourfamily, i note. he has been a tremendous servant to our family, the i note. he has been a tremendous servant to ourfamily, the labour family, and we thank him for his

outstanding speech today. mr speaker, the address was seconded by the honourable friend the memberfor vauxhall and camberwell green, a fitting tribute for a royal occasion. as i�*m told she is known as queen flo on instagram. the house will know her as a tireless champion for her community as well as a founding member of one of our most vital affiliates, the labourfriends vital affiliates, the labour friends of vital affiliates, the labourfriends of karaoke. in fact, mr speaker, vital affiliates, the labourfriends of karaoke. infact, mr speaker, i am largely told that queen flo does am largely told that queen flo does a mean queen bey, which i look forward to hearing at labour conference. but it truly was a fantastic speech, another demonstration a memorable front as a shining example. a young carer when growing up, a fighterfor their

causes on aids and hiv, and health inequalities will still deliver poorer outcomes for black people and in sickle cell, which her late mum suffered from. i know what it�*s like to watch a move in and out of hospital as a child and sol to watch a move in and out of hospital as a child and so i respect and admire the way she no champions young people from poorer households and fights for the opportunities they deserve. perhaps most powerfully of all, she spoke about her own experience arriving at the scene of... and has rightly demanded that we never allow ourselves to become desensitised to the tragedy of knife crime. as a fellow in a london mp, i know how much this is hurting city, as it is towns and cities across the country. i know how much potential it dharma is lost and how many families fear that their child could be next. so be

under no doubt, turning the tide on this violence is absolutely central, a key mission that this government of service will take on. mr speaker, both speeches were in the finest traditions of this house. let me also follow the leader of the opposition and mark the passing of our colleagues in the traditional way because since the last gracious address the labour party has lost a store work than movement with the passing of tony lloyd who served in 36 years of distinction the communities of rochdale, manchester central and stratford. i had the chance to speak to tonyjust days before he left us. that was when he was leaving hospital to go home and he knew it was for the last time and he knew it was for the last time and he wouldn�*t see a day like this. and without being partisan, i can tell

you he would have loved to see the house set up as it is today. he would have told us using his experience to use every precious moment that we have to serve those communities that he held so dear because that is what he stood for, the best of our movement, it had of politics as a force for good. and thatis politics as a force for good. and that is the great test of our time, the fight for the trust is the battle that defines our political era and it�*s a task notjust for this government but for the whole parliament. we are all responsible for the tone and standards that we set and i want to thank the right honourable gentleman in every exchange that we�*ve had since the election and, in his words today, he has gone well beyond the usual standards of generosity and i thank him for that. and in that spirit,

this king speech picks up some of the important business not concluded in the last session and so on football governance and the reduction of smoking, we hope to proceed in a manner that recognises the previous consensus. we will also carry forward the holocaust memorial day so we build that memorial next to this parliament and make sure every generation reaffirms our commitment to never again. and we will also honour the promises that i made the leader of the opposition made the leader of the opposition made to the family martin and all the families affected by the horrific events in manchester that day. martin�*s mum walked 200 miles to tell us that britain needs that law quickly. i told her then that she would get that from a labour government and we honour that

promise today and i�*m very grateful for the indication of the cross—party support we will have on that very important provision. because the key security of the british people is the most fundamental priority of any government and with our fight is against terrorists, the vile criminal smuggling gangs that we can add borders orforeign powers that threaten the security of this nation, we will leave no stone unturned when it comes to keeping the british people say. and we will recognise the bravery of those on the front line of keeping us safe with the new armed forces commissioner. that�*s notjust a name or a role but a strong and independent champion for those who have committed to the ultimate service as a way which can show our respect. we will also move quickly on the lessons from the infected blood scandal that the house debated

in almost the final act of the last session. a date when we undertook, all of us, a solemn responsibility notjust to all of us, a solemn responsibility not just to deliver justice all of us, a solemn responsibility notjust to deliverjustice to those people but also to take on the work of prevention. to make sure that those lessons shape the future of public service in our country. because scandals like infected blood, windrush, horizon, hillsborough, i united notjust by the scale of the injustice but also by the indignity that the victims and theirfamilies by the indignity that the victims and their families have by the indignity that the victims and theirfamilies have been put through merely for standing up for truth and justice. so it�*s high time to bring in a duty of candour, the hillsborough law, because a government of service must also be a government of service must also be a government of service must also be a government of accountability and

justice. that is what service means. yes, i will give way. i justice. that is what service means. yes, i will give way.— yes, i will give way. i think the prime minister _ yes, i will give way. i think the prime minister for _ yes, i will give way. i think the prime minister for giving i yes, i will give way. i think the prime minister for giving way l yes, i will give way. i think the i prime minister for giving way during his excellent speech outlining the hope _ his excellent speech outlining the hope and — his excellent speech outlining the hope and renewal within this king speech, _ hope and renewal within this king speech, much needed in constituencies like mine in luton north— constituencies like mine in luton north were over a5% of children are growing _ north were over a5% of children are growing up — north were over a5% of children are growing up in relative poverty. what reassurances can the prime minister -ive reassurances can the prime minister give me _ reassurances can the prime minister give me and — reassurances can the prime minister give me and my constituents that he personally _ give me and my constituents that he personally takes this issue very seriously— personally takes this issue very seriously and that his government will address at? | seriously and that his government will address at?— will address at? i am grateful for that intervention _ will address at? i am grateful for that intervention and _ will address at? i am grateful for that intervention and i _ will address at? i am grateful for- that intervention and i measurements to her and to the whole house that i do take child poverty extremely seriously. i�*m proud of the record of the last labour government in reducing child poverty. it clearly had a strategy and we will have a strategy and i�*m very pleased to have announced today the task force that will lead our strategy to

reduce child poverty. no child should be growing up in poverty and as we will work across the house on that issue, and they will take an intervention. i�*m that issue, and they will take an intervention.— that issue, and they will take an intervention. i'm very grateful to the prime _ intervention. i'm very grateful to the prime minister _ intervention. i'm very grateful to the prime minister for _ intervention. i'm very grateful to the prime minister for giving i intervention. i'm very grateful to| the prime minister for giving way intervention. i'm very grateful to i the prime minister for giving way on his newly announced task force which of course beth rigby was announcing on twitter as we all saw in this chamber. mr speaker, can the prime minister outline how many children will remain in poverty well that task force undertakes the work that will ultimately lead to the same conclusion we are proposing to scrap the two child benefit cap? look. conclusion we are proposing to scrap the two child benefit cap?— the two child benefit cap? look, i do welcome _ the two child benefit cap? look, i do welcome this. _ the two child benefit cap? look, i do welcome this. i _ the two child benefit cap? look, i do welcome this. i know- the two child benefit cap? look, i do welcome this. i know this i the two child benefit cap? look, i do welcome this. i know this is i the two child benefit cap? look, i| do welcome this. i know this is an issue across the whole house. i don�*t think there�*s a simple single member that doesn�*t care about child poverty. point of the task forces to devise strategy. it can be a single issue across a number of strands and we will work with people across the house to do it. what matters is the

commitment to do it and drive those numbers down. that is what we did last government and i will do it again. but mr speaker, i willjust make some progress. whilst i respect the turn of the leader of the opposition�*s contribution i can�*t stop my mind wandering back to nine months ago when he was at this dispatch box. his great political hero, nigel lawson, once said to govern is to choose. and every day serving the people of this country is a chance to make a difference for them. yet, mr speaker, the last king speech was the day when the veil of his choices slipped and we also a party, his party, content to let our country�*s problems fester, content to push aside the national interest, as they focused almost entirely on trying to save their own skins. mr

speaker, we will have time over the weeks, months and years to debate the measures in this king speech and the measures in this king speech and the choices of this government but i defy anyone on those benches or elsewhere to look at the ambition and purpose of our intent and not to receive a return to the serious business of government. no more wedge issue. remote gimmicks. no more party political strategy masquerading as policy. —— no more gimmicks. this is in agenda focused entirely on delivering for the people of this country. legislation for the national interest that seeks only to fix our foundations and make people better off. solve problems, not exploit them. because... i will just make some progress. because, mr speaker, with each day that passes,

my government is finding new and unexpected arcs of their chaos. scars of the last 1a years when politics was possible to let national interest. decline deep in the marrow of our institutions. we�*ve seen that in our patients. writ large. we�*ve seen it in our rivers and seas, even worse than we thought. and we�*ve seen it in councils, pushed to the brink by the previous government, now unable even to deliver basic services to children with educational needs. but, mr speaker, we have already taken first steps on so many of the priorities we put before the british people. the work of change has begun but we know, as they do, that national renewal is not a quick fix. the rot of 1a years will take time to repair. nonetheless... iwill

give way. to repair. nonetheless... iwill give way-— to repair. nonetheless... iwill rivewa. ~ , . give way. the prime minister talks about priorities. _ give way. the prime minister talks about priorities. of— give way. the prime minister talks about priorities. of course, - give way. the prime minister talksi about priorities. of course, people in rural communities around the country see the vast majority and members assembled and they are afraid. they a manifesto injust 87 words are used about farming. they see a king speech with no mention of a rural communities or river priorities. will the plan is to please take this opportunity to reassure people in rural and farming communities that his labour government will take notice of them? just to say intervention is one thing — just to say intervention is one thing but _ just to say intervention is one thing but to actually make a speech is not _ thing but to actually make a speech is not the _ thing but to actually make a speech is not the best time to do it. let me take this _ is not the best time to do it. let me take this opportunity to reassure those in rural communities. i grew up those in rural communities. i grew up in a rural community myself and i think that if you look at the places that are now represented on the...

you will see the reassurance that has been given and will also be given again. the king speech we have brought to this house today is a marker and not only a certain destination for the future of this country but a new way of governing, a government of service, guided by clear missions, with a long—term plan to fix the foundations. a plan which starts, as it must, without economy. under his watch, the last parliament was the first in modern history to leave living standards in a worse place than they found them. the consequence notjust of tory irresponsibility but of a more pervasive inability to face the future. a docking of the hard choices eyes fixed always on the horse trading of westminster politics. ratherthan horse trading of westminster politics. rather than the long—term national interest. we don�*tjust turn the page and that today, we

close the door on it forever. a budget responsibility bill that will protect the living standards of working people from the chaos they endured under the last government. a commitment, no matter how fierce the storms, to economic stability is the foundation we build on. that is a changed labour party at work. and then on that foundation, we take the brakes of britain, go further and faster on measures to terminate high economic growth. workers and business united in the course of wealth creation. we will reform the planning rules, a choice ignored for 1a years. to build the homes and infrastructure that britain needs. we will level up rights at work, a choice ignored 1a years, to deliver security and dignity at work. will create a industrial strategy,

investing cleaner, cheaper british energy, harness the power of artificial intelligence, improve public transport, comes front are historic challenges and technical education, transformer skills agenda in partnership with businesses and push devolution to the cities, regions and councils in england. a plan for wealth creation that will finally lead us out of the pay more, get less comedy more. that is their legacy. and let me be clear. we will work with anyone invested in the future of our country. i have said... isaid future of our country. i have said... i said that we would serve everyone, whether they voted for us or not. and i meant it. so let me say directly to the benches opposite. if you are invested in the success of your community, we will work with you. this is a new era. we are turning the page. were turning politics to service. because that is what the people of this country want

to see from their politicians. and service is a stronger bond than self interest. that is what country first means. the only way we can restore trust and the reason this covenant of service was elected. mr speaker, we were also elected to repair our public services with investment and reform. to make them once again beacons ofjustice reform. to make them once again beacons of justice for the communities they serve. a signal to our country of the because the fires national renewal. my determination for everyone in our country, england, scotland, northern ireland, wales, no matter where they started in life, to feel that success belongs to them. it is a cause, mr speaker, that i do believe unites this house and indeed the people of this house and indeed the people of this great nation. so... i will. mr

this great nation. so... iwill. mr speaker. — this great nation. so... i will. rji speaker, can i this great nation. so... i will. m speaker, can i commend the prime minister. there are many on both sides of this changed butter both in opposition but also your party who welcome your election as prime minister and look forward to the delivery of some feel—good factors for all of us in the united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland. always better together, what i always say, and even those in the chamber he may have different ideas perhaps think the same as well. in ideas perhaps think the same as well. , , ., . ., well. in my paper two weeks ago we reco u nise well. in my paper two weeks ago we recognise that _ well. in my paper two weeks ago we recognise that northern _ well. in my paper two weeks ago we recognise that northern ireland i well. in my paper two weeks ago we recognise that northern ireland was| recognise that northern ireland was very much part of your ten year and connects the prime minister what exactly that plan will be for northern ireland to ensure our position will never weaken and always get stronger. jim. position will never weaken and always get stronger.— position will never weaken and always get stronger. jim, you will be definitely _ always get stronger. jim, you will be definitely boss _ always get stronger. jim, you will be definitely boss of _ always get stronger. jim, you will be definitely boss of the - always get stronger. jim, you will be definitely boss of the list, i be definitely boss of the list, don't — be definitely boss of the list, don't worry!— be definitely boss of the list, don't wor ! �* . ., . don't worry! i'm grateful for that intervention. _ don't worry! i'm grateful for that intervention. it _ don't worry! i'm grateful for that intervention. it was _ don't worry! i'm grateful for that intervention. it was very - don't worry! i'm grateful for that l intervention. it was very important to me and to my government that within days of being elected, i went

to scotland, to northern ireland and wales with the message that i did about working together. as he will know, i worked about working together. as he will know, iworked in about working together. as he will know, i worked in northern ireland for five years on reforms to the police service in northern ireland. it matters to me that we make progress on all matters across all of our nations and that is the way that we will operate as a government. that was a statement of intent going as they did in those early days and will continue in that vein in direct answer to his question. mr speaker, as well as a plan to cut waiting times, we will modernise the mental health act and finally drag it into the 21st—century. and we will raise standards in our schools, improve the confidence, the well being and the confidence, the well being and the happiness of our children. because that is so often the barrier that holds them back. we will also work on landmark legislation on race equality, tackle the structural injustice of unfair discriminatory

pat’- injustice of unfair discriminatory pay. now, britain has come a long way on matters like this. one look at this parliament shows that we�*re moving forward and i recognise the efforts of so many in this house on all sides to tackle this injustice. but, mr speaker, we can still do more and, therefore, we must and we will. we will also begin work on banning conversion practices and bring forward tough new protections for eventers. promises that have lingered in the lobby of good intentions forfar too lingered in the lobby of good intentions for far too long. and, lingered in the lobby of good intentions forfar too long. and, mr speaker, we will signal an intent to transform society with measures on crime and justice. that will not only that us street of anti—social behaviour but also launch a new mission to reduce violence against women and girls by 50%. in this we are inspired by the work of unbelievable campaigners. mina

smallman. claire waxman. melanie brown. and my friends, john and penny client. mr speaker, i will neverforget the day penny client. mr speaker, i will never forget the day thatjohn and penny came to my office and told me what they had been through just to get justice what they had been through just to getjustice for their daughter, jane. murdered in the car park of the blackpool hospital where she worked. by the man awaiting trial on multiple charges of raping her. i gave them my word then that i would do what i could notjust forjohn and penny and jane but for all the johns, pennies and chains in our country. mr speaker, it�*s an enormous undertaking. i wish it wasn�*t, but it is. just listen to the contribution made every year in this house by my honourable friend the memberfor birmingham yardley, a

grim reminder ofjust how many women are killed every year by domestic violence. and it is everybody who works in public service knows, the government can make or break a life. i�*ve seen myself as public servant. and i also know from those campaigners what service can do when it listens and empowers people far beyond the walls of the state. so, mr speaker, this is how we will go about our business. mission driven, focused on ambitious goals, bringing together the best of our country, committed to the practical difference, big and small, that we can make together. and in the reward in the hope of service. the business of change in the work of this government and in service that we will take on. we will stop the chaos, fix our foundations, will take on. we will stop the chaos, fix ourfoundations, and will take on. we will stop the chaos, fix our foundations, and take the brakes of britain. taking speech

that returns politics to serious government, but returns government to public service and that returns public service to the interest of working people. that is the part of national renewal, the rebuilding of our country, and we take another step today. thank you, mr speaker. order, order. i now call the leader order, order. i now callthe leader of them _ order, order. i now callthe leader of the... order! please, let's show respect— of the... order! please, let's show respect to— of the... order! please, let's show respect to each other. let's not set off on— respect to each other. let's not set off on the _ respect to each other. let's not set off on the back foot but on the on the right— off on the back foot but on the on the right foot. i now call the leader— the right foot. i now call the leader of— the right foot. i now call the leader of the lib dems, ed davey. thank— leader of the lib dems, ed davey. thank you. — leader of the lib dems, ed davey. thank you, mr speaker, and on the half of the liberal democrats i want to add our sincere thanks to his majesty king charles for his gracious speech and like other party leaders, wish him to continue on his recovery and alsojoin leaders, wish him to continue on his recovery and also join them and

sending our best happy returns on the birthday of her majesty. and as we remember, members who were killed in service and condemn the appalling assassination attempts on president trump. we should all commit ourselves to a new politics where we respect, where we disagree with respect, where we disagree with respect and we listen to each other and we try to bring the dialogue of politics in our country together from the divisions we�*ve seen. and can ijoin others in paying tribute to the late tony lloyd. he had many campaigns and many issues that he championed in this house. i had the huge privilege ofjoining him on an all—party trip to israel and gaza because one of his commitments was to peace in the middle east. the justice for the palestinians and for a two state solution and letters all commit ourselves to that again. i

would also like to pay tribute, mr speaker, to honourable members of the bootle and oxo and camberwell green for their accomplished speech is proposing and seconding the loyal address. any other member for bootle comes from a political family. address. any other member for bootle comes from a politicalfamily. he explained that in some detail. and i believe his great uncle peter, once the labour mp for preston south, later became a liberal councillor in liverpool so may i say to the honourable gentleman, if he does follow in his great uncles footsteps, he won�*t be the first and his family to see the liberal light and our door is always open. the honourable memberfor vauxhall and honourable member for vauxhall and camberwell green made honourable memberfor vauxhall and camberwell green made an impressive mark in the first parliament as she campaigned on things like knife crime, on the nhs and on housing and also spoke very eloquently on an issue that is close to her heart and mind, care. she spoke movingly about

how she cared for her mum when she wasjust a very how she cared for her mum when she was just a very young child, learning at a young age about all the different painkillers needed to treat her mum. and as someone who believes we need to hear the voice of carers in this chamber far more often, it was a pleasure to listen to her speech today and i�*m left in no doubt she will make an even bigger mark in her second parliament. and while i�*m paying tribute, mr speaker, let me add our thanks to the three lions who captivated the whole nation and came so agonisingly close to ending all those years of hurt. they did us proud and let�*s hope the lionesses will retain their european crown next year. and so i welcome the prime minister to his place and congratulate him and his party on their election victory. as he says,

they now have an enormous undertaking and we wish them well. i�*ve had some hair somewhere that the prime minister apparently surfed to power on a wave of conservative failure. but can i say to him gently, with a pang of envy, water sports are my thing. laughter but, mr speaker, the challenge awaiting this new government are certainly great and set against that challenging trap door backdrop there is much to welcome in the programme set out today, not least the government�*s focus on getting our economy growing strongly again and the prime minister is right to say that building more homes is an essential part of that. as you can see from the work of many brilliant liberal democrat councils from cumbria to eastleigh and in my own area, the royal borough of kingston. the best way to build the many extra homes we need, especially those

extra social and affordable homes is to properly engage local people and communities and bring them along with you and that is the community led approach that we on these benches will continue to champion. i will give way. delighted to see the leader of the liberal democrats is openly advocating the work of eastleigh borough council. can ijust remained in the council is only building double houses required because his party leadership has gotten into £800 million worth of debt to pay for the debts they have accrued. i�*m delighted to say that today we welcome the new liberal democrat member for eastleigh to the liberal democrat benches and i�*m sure she will have all the ends of the honourable gentleman needs. but growth and house—building are not the only challenges. crucial though they are. i�*m sure all of us across they are. i�*m sure all of us across the house as we knocked on doors during the election campaign heard

the same from so many people, a common refrain of the people of all backgrounds and all walks of life that nothing seems to be working as it should. on the health and care crisis to the sewage scandal to the cost of living, the british people have overwhelmingly rejected the past over to touch conservative government. that has gone. but after so many years of being taken for granted, many people have simply lost faith in our political system to solve their problems so we on these benches do recognise the scale of the challenge now facing the new government. they have a big job to do and so do we to work hard and a half of our constituents and we must scrutinise the government�*s plans carefully and strive to improve them and we will oppose them and we think the gossip wrong. when it acts on the gossip wrong. when it acts on the national interest to solve these problems and improve people�*s lives

we will support that. one issue came up we will support that. one issue came up more than any other on door after door and i�*m sure it was the same four members in all parties. the issue of health and care. patients waiting weeks to see a gp of an nhs dentist, if they could find one. more than 6 million people waiting in nhs waiting lists. tens of thousands of cancer patients waiting months to start urgent treatment. patients stuck in hospital ready to leave, wanting and waiting to leave, sometimes for weeks, but unable to because the care home place wasn�*t there. the care home worker was support for theirfamily there. the care home worker was support for their family care that wasn�*t in place. mr speaker, fixing this crisis in the nhs is essential not only for people�*s health and wellbeing but also far our economy and for growth. only if we get people of these waiting lists and

into work, get our economy growing strongly again. i have to give way. he mentions the waiting lists but... studio: we are coming away from the house of commons. we have been listening to some eloquent speeches both from the leader of the opposition, rishi sunak, very interesting the tone, the words he used. then keir starmer, as he starts and has laid out his agenda and sir ed davey for the liberal democrats there, ending there, talking about health and social care. well, though is the speeches we have heard and they are continuing. we will keep dipping back into the house of commons. i will speak to vicki young in a moment or two, our deputy political editor. but let�*s turn to our main headlines here. it

is for pm. you are watching bbc news. the pomp and pageantry of the state opening of parliament for the first labour government in 1a years. fanfare. in a crowded house of lords, the king says the starmer government will create a new national energy company, nationalise railways, and reform planning and health laws. my government�*s legislative programme will be mission—led, and based upon the principles of security, fairness and opportunity for all. mps debate the contents of what they heard — in their first session of the new parliament. the party leaders among those to address the house of commons. abs, address the house of commons. king's speech that takes the brakes king�*s speech that takes the brakes off our economy and shows to the british people that politics can be a force for good.

we will talk through what the surprises were and what all of this means to you. welcome to bbc news, welcome to westminster, where we had seen the king using the state opening of parliament to outline the new labour government�*s plans for the year ahead. the king�*s speech includes proposals for nearly a0 new laws, focussing on the economy, border security, crime and the renationalisation of britain�*s railways. the king said the government wanted to bring in a new deal to ban exploitative practices for working people and would reset relations with the european union. we have been watching the leaders speaking in the house of commons in the last hour or so. let�*s go to the central lobby and talk to our deputy

political editor, vicki young. i was saying as we came away, some really eloquent speeches we heard, both from rishi sunak and sir keir starmer. , , . , i, starmer. yes, it is a strange situation _ starmer. yes, it is a strange situation sometimes, - starmer. yes, it is a strange situation sometimes, after l starmer. yes, it is a strange i situation sometimes, after the starmer. yes, it is a strange - situation sometimes, after the heat of an election campaign and then have to come back to this place, i think particularly for the man for who was prime minister a few weeks ago. he has chosen to stay and so has to go to the other side of that dispatch box and ask the questions as well as opposing the new government. hejoked about as well as opposing the new government. he joked about whether he could be a grandee, a political grandee at such a young age, in his a0s, as he probably underneath all of this is thinking about what he does next. he did say that he would stay as an mp until the next general election. we will see if he does decide to do that but it is obvious he will not stay as leader of the opposition, so that is a parallel thing that is happening today as the conservatives decide how they will

elect their new leader. then sir keir starmer being gracious in response, but also being critical about populous government and about what he called the chaos of the years under the conservatives, saying that they were going to close the door on are good. that they were going to govern in a different way. that it was going to about public service in future. so setting the standard time for his new government as he outlined the proposal is that he wants to bring in over the next five years. he wants to bring in over the next five years-— he wants to bring in over the next five ears. ., . , five years. the tone was something very different- _ five years. the tone was something very different. he _ five years. the tone was something very different. he listed _ five years. the tone was something very different. he listed all - five years. the tone was something very different. he listed all the i very different. he listed all the things as the leader of the opposition they would do, holding to account this new government, not opposing just for the sake of it. but towards the end he said a really interesting thing. he said that the books on the government have been open to the then labour opposition and now the government for a considerable amount of time so the notion that coming into power things are worse than anticipated simply

wasn�*t true. are worse than anticipated simply wasn't true-— wasn't true. look, i think the conservatives _ wasn't true. look, i think the conservatives know - wasn't true. look, i think the conservatives know that i wasn't true. look, i think the conservatives know that for l wasn't true. look, i think the i conservatives know that for some time to come, they are going to hear this a lot from the new labour government, saying that things were even worse than we thought. up to a certain point, they do know what is coming. certainly in terms of the economy, there is a lot out there, there is a lot in the public domain about what�*s coming up. for example, the cuts there might have to be two different government departments. there are groups like the institute for fiscal studies who have said openly they felt both parties were not being honest about the difficulties that lay ahead. so i think tory mps are prepared and you could hear a bit of groaning in the commons today when sir keir starmer talked about that, saying it is even worse than we thought on things like prisons. they know they are going to hear that for quite some time. but of course, there will be, the time will come, we don�*t know when that will come, we don�*t know when that will be, when people will turn around to the new labour government

and say, have you delivered, have you made the changes you need to? i think that is why keir starmer talked a lot about a decade of renewal. he has talked about taking first steps. what they have been trying to do, what they were trying to do during the election campaign and what they are still doing now is they don�*t want to overpromise and under deliver. so they have laid out the things they are going to do but they are saying to people that they have to be patient. the question is, how patient voters will be. do have to be patient. the question is, how patient voters will be.- how patient voters will be. do stay there because _ how patient voters will be. do stay there because i _ how patient voters will be. do stay there because i want _ how patient voters will be. do stay there because i want to _ how patient voters will be. do stay there because i want to play i how patient voters will be. do stay there because i want to play a i how patient voters will be. do stay there because i want to play a clip| there because i want to play a clip of what we heard in the last a5 minutes or so from the leader of the opposition, rishi sunak, because he began by paying tribute to sir keir starmer. it is right to begin by congratulating the prime minister on his decisive victory in the election _ his decisive victory in the election. he deserves the goodwill of all— election. he deserves the goodwill of all of— election. he deserves the goodwill of all of us — election. he deserves the goodwill of all of us in this house as he takes — of all of us in this house as he takes on — of all of us in this house as he takes on the most demanding ofjobs in the _ takes on the most demanding ofjobs in the increasingly uncertain world in the increasingly uncertain world in which _ in the increasingly uncertain world in which we — in the increasingly uncertain world in which we now live. the party opposite — in which we now live. the party opposite has successfully tapped into the — opposite has successfully tapped into the public pulse mat desire for change _

into the public pulse mat desire for change but — into the public pulse mat desire for change but they now must deliver change _ change but they now must deliver change and we on this side of the house _ change and we on this side of the house will— change and we on this side of the house will hold them accountable for delivering _ house will hold them accountable for delivering on the commitments that they made _ delivering on the commitments that they made to the british people. in they made to the british people. in the national interest, we will not oppose _ the national interest, we will not oppose for— the national interest, we will not oppose for the sake of it but when we disagree with the government it is our— we disagree with the government it is our responsibility as the opposition to say so. let's _ opposition to say so. let's turn to sir keir starmer let�*s turn to sir keir starmer because the prime minister said his government was now focused on public service reviving the economy. the last parliament was the first in modern history to leave living standards and a worse place than they found them. the consequence not just of tory irresponsibility but of a more pervasive inability to face the future, a ducking of the hard choices, eyes fixed always on the horse trading of westminster politics. i will in a moment, rather than the long—term national interest. we don�*tjust turn the page on that today, we closed the door on it forever.—

door on it forever. cheering a budget _ door on it forever. cheering a budget responsibility i door on it forever. cheering a budget responsibility bill. door on it forever. cheering i a budget responsibility bill that will protect the living standards of working people from the chaos they endured under the last government. in terms of what we saw from sir keir starmer, it was interesting because there were two or three interruptions on what looks like being the first real pinch point after this king�*s speech and that was about the two child benefit cap. just take me through the pressure and where it is coming from. that is riht, i and where it is coming from. that is right. i think — and where it is coming from. that is right. i think it _ and where it is coming from. that is right, i think it will— and where it is coming from. that is right, i think it will come _ and where it is coming from. that is right, i think it will come from i right, i think it will come from certainly some labour backbenchers and it is coming as well from the snp and the liberal democrats, and what they want to see is there�*s cap on the two child benefit cap, they want to see it taken away. it is an expensive move, £1.5 billion. it is something that child poverty campaigners have wanted for quite some time. in the run—up to the election, laboursaid some time. in the run—up to the election, labour said that they couldn�*t promise to do it yet. they

said that it was something that was unaffordable entail, unless growth comes to the economy. now what the government has announced today is a child poverty task force. they are saying this is not about one particular measure or another but a cross government approach. they point to things like breakfast clubs in primary schools and say that it is notjust one particular measure that will help, it is lots of different measures that they will coordinate across the whole of government. but i think that is unlikely to get rid of the criticism and he will probably see the opposition parties trying to table some kind of amendment to force a vote on all of this. of course, sir keir starmer has a huge commons majority, so he is unlikely to come across a problem in terms of a defeat in the commons but that won�*t stop the political arguments. just a final uick stop the political arguments. just a final quick thought _ stop the political arguments. just a final quick thought because - stop the political arguments. just a final quick thought because you touched upon it, the new seating

arrangements, over300 touched upon it, the new seating arrangements, over 300 new mps. touched upon it, the new seating arrangements, over300 new mps. it�*s fascinating on a day like today, they will have all watched this over they will have all watched this over the years on the telly but to be part of it, it is quite a moment, isn�*t it? it part of it, it is quite a moment, isn't it? . . part of it, it is quite a moment, isn't it? , . , ., part of it, it is quite a moment, isn't it? , . i. part of it, it is quite a moment, isn't it? , . , isn't it? it is and you can still see a large — isn't it? it is and you can still see a large number- isn't it? it is and you can still see a large number of- isn't it? it is and you can still see a large number of them l isn't it? it is and you can still- see a large number of them wandering around here looking a little bit lost. they are following their instructions and at the beginning of the proceedings today, you heard from the speaker really laying out the rules to them, telling them how it is all supposed to work. it is perplexing, there are a lot of commons rules. even the idea that when you get up to ask a question you don�*t ask the minister, the prime minister direct, you do it through the speaker. so there are all these rules and regulations and as the speaker said, he will help them through all of that. there will be lots of things they get wrong at the beginning but they have a lot to think about. it is setting up offices notjust a bit in their constituencies, finding their way around this incredibly perplexing building and then trying to follow all of the rules that they might not be accustomed to and there are an

awful lot of them.— awful lot of them. vicki young, thank you _ awful lot of them. vicki young, thank you very _ awful lot of them. vicki young, thank you very much _ awful lot of them. vicki young, thank you very much for - awful lot of them. vicki young, thank you very much for taking | awful lot of them. vicki young, i thank you very much for taking us through all of that. so much in this king speech. lets over the next few minutes look more in depth that a couple of the really big issues government says it is trying to tackle, and energy. with me is cara pacitti from the resolution foundation, a think tank working to improve the living standards of low and middle income families. and emma pinchbeck, chief executive of energy uk, which is the trade association for the energy industry. both of you, thank you for being here, i know you have been patiently waiting as we were listening to the leaders. your thoughts first of all in terms of what you heard in your particular area, in terms of what you heard in your particulararea, emma, you in terms of what you heard in your particular area, emma, you first? irate particular area, emma, you first? we have particulararea, emma, you first? we have welcomed the focus on planning reform _ have welcomed the focus on planning reform which i'm sure it's notjust applicable — reform which i'm sure it's notjust applicable to energy and the economy. it takes is a most ten years— economy. it takes is a most ten years to — economy. it takes is a most ten years to build a new wind farm today and it _ years to build a new wind farm today and it should take one or two. positive —

and it should take one or two. positive to— and it should take one or two. positive to see reform there. and we welcome _ positive to see reform there. and we welcome the proposals on gb energy because _ welcome the proposals on gb energy because we think with our investment in the _ because we think with our investment in the energy sector, you are certainly— in the energy sector, you are certainly not going to get growth, but also _ certainly not going to get growth, but also we desperately need new energy— but also we desperately need new energy infrastructure to help people with their— energy infrastructure to help people with their bills, the cost of living and other— with their bills, the cost of living and other problems. | with their bills, the cost of living and other problems.— with their bills, the cost of living and other problems. i will ask you about how — and other problems. i will ask you about how you _ and other problems. i will ask you about how you do _ and other problems. i will ask you about how you do that _ and other problems. i will ask you about how you do that in - and other problems. i will ask you about how you do that in a - and other problems. i will ask you | about how you do that in a moment but cara, in terms of housing, we have heard so much today on housing, which must please you. but in terms of the basics, what have you made of what you have heard? i of the basics, what have you made of what you have heard?— what you have heard? i think it is not surprising — what you have heard? i think it is not surprising that _ what you have heard? i think it is not surprising that we _ what you have heard? i think it is not surprising that we heard i what you have heard? i think it is not surprising that we heard a i what you have heard? i think it is not surprising that we heard a lot about housing given the government has these welcome but ambitious targets of building 1.5 million homes in the next parliament. what we are starting to see and we have seen this and the planning and infrastructure bill, a sense of how the government is are hoping to reach these targets, mostly through reforming the planning system. how they do those reforms and how radical they are, we are yet to see

a lot of detail on that, my real question for the government will be: how far can they reach these targets just through planning reform alone? in previous decades, we have seen high levels of house—building, the government did a lot of direct subsidy and we saw a lot of state house—building as well. i think the question will be how far planning forming alone will help? the obvious uestion is forming alone will help? the obvious question is is — forming alone will help? the obvious question is is it _ forming alone will help? the obvious question is is it achievable _ forming alone will help? the obvious question is is it achievable and i - question is is it achievable and i suppose what types of homes we are actually talking about building here? , ~ , actually talking about building here? , ~' , , i, actually talking about building here? , , i, , here? very key question is, we haven't heard _ here? very key question is, we haven't heard a _ here? very key question is, we haven't heard a lot _ here? very key question is, we haven't heard a lot yet. - here? very key question is, we haven't heard a lot yet. the - haven't heard a lot yet. the government has said they are hoping to bring forward land, so—called grey belt [and to build on, homes built on that land will be affordable housing. we have not heard much more more widely about how much of those 1.5 million will be affordable or social homes and we know homes in the private sector are less likely to be those types of homes. i, i, ~' less likely to be those types of homes. i, i, ~ i, , �* , homes. you talked about gb energy, emma. in terms _ homes. you talked about gb energy, emma. in terms of— homes. you talked about gb energy, emma. in terms of what _ homes. you talked about gb energy, emma. in terms of what is _ homes. you talked about gb energy, | emma. in terms of what is achievable

because the ambition is laudable, cheaper bills, energy security, clean energy by 2030. again, the same question, is it achievable in that timeframe? i same question, is it achievable in that timeframe?_ same question, is it achievable in that timeframe? i think we have seen a coule of that timeframe? i think we have seen a coume of the _ that timeframe? i think we have seen a couple of the things _ that timeframe? i think we have seen a couple of the things that _ that timeframe? i think we have seen a couple of the things that are - a couple of the things that are necessary to get to the carbonised power— necessary to get to the carbonised power by— necessary to get to the carbonised power by 2030. we don't lack money or interest _ power by 2030. we don't lack money or interest in — power by 2030. we don't lack money or interest in the energy sector but we lack_ or interest in the energy sector but we lack the — or interest in the energy sector but we lack the ability to build projects quickly. planning is key to that _ projects quickly. planning is key to that i_ projects quickly. planning is key to that ithink— projects quickly. planning is key to that. i think gb energy is a really good _ that. i think gb energy is a really good idea — that. i think gb energy is a really good idea because it will invest in things— good idea because it will invest in things the — good idea because it will invest in things the market won't do, even though— things the market won't do, even though the market will do most of theirs _ though the market will do most of theirs. community energy, early—stage technologies, carbon capture. — early—stage technologies, carbon capture, that is great for us and what _ capture, that is great for us and what was — capture, that is great for us and what was not in the king speech is continuing — what was not in the king speech is continuing to build renewables. there _ continuing to build renewables. there is— continuing to build renewables. there is a — continuing to build renewables. there is a big uk auction coming up and we _ there is a big uk auction coming up and we don't — there is a big uk auction coming up and we don't know what the government will do without for offshore — government will do without for offshore wind. also, i think continuing to be clear about what they to _ continuing to be clear about what they to do — continuing to be clear about what they to do about things like gas transition — they to do about things like gas transition and more details on bills because _ transition and more details on bills because we have not heard a lot about _ because we have not heard a lot about that. because we have not heard a lot

about that-— because we have not heard a lot about that. , i, i, i , about that. everyone watching this well sa i about that. everyone watching this well say i love _ about that. everyone watching this well say i love the _ about that. everyone watching this well say i love the sound _ about that. everyone watching this well say i love the sound of - about that. everyone watching this well say i love the sound of that, l well say i love the sound of that, it will bring my bills lower, but when and how? the it will bring my bills lower, but when and how?— it will bring my bills lower, but when and how? i, , when and how? the important thing is if we decarbonise _ when and how? the important thing is if we decarbonise the _ when and how? the important thing is if we decarbonise the energy - when and how? the important thing is if we decarbonise the energy system, | if we decarbonise the energy system, that is— if we decarbonise the energy system, that is cheaper for consumers. we know— that is cheaper for consumers. we know as _ that is cheaper for consumers. we know as we — that is cheaper for consumers. we know as we build more clean infrastructure, we stop importing expensive — infrastructure, we stop importing expensive gas and we have more domestic— expensive gas and we have more domestic home—grown power which is -ood domestic home—grown power which is good for— domestic home—grown power which is good for bills in the long run. the important — good for bills in the long run. the important thing for labour is things nreat— important thing for labour is things meat people are struggling now so we are calling _ meat people are struggling now so we are calling for targeted support in the autumn and winter. it are calling for targeted support in the autumn and winter.— the autumn and winter. it still doesnt the autumn and winter. it still doesn't answer _ the autumn and winter. it still doesn't answer the _ the autumn and winter. it still doesn't answer the question, | the autumn and winter. it still - doesn't answer the question, really easy question, when, a year? give me an idea of when people can expect all of that impacting them? this an idea of when people can expect all of that impacting them? as soon as ou aet all of that impacting them? as soon as you get a — all of that impacting them? as soon as you get a new— all of that impacting them? as soon as you get a new wind _ all of that impacting them? as soon as you get a new wind farm - all of that impacting them? as soon as you get a new wind farm bill, - all of that impacting them? as soon | as you get a new wind farm bill, you start displacing gas, so the benefits _ start displacing gas, so the benefits are immediate. we recognise beobie _ benefits are immediate. we recognise people are _ benefits are immediate. we recognise people are struggling to pay their bills so— people are struggling to pay their bills so we are calling on government to bringing additional targeted support this autumn and you should _ targeted support this autumn and you should see _ targeted support this autumn and you should see bills coming down from this autumn. depending on what the government does, we would expect to see biits _ government does, we would expect to see bills decreasing, if they make the market changes and put some serious _ the market changes and put some

serious thought into energy retail, which _ serious thought into energy retail, which to— serious thought into energy retail, which to date has been less of a focus _ which to date has been less of a focus for— which to date has been less of a focus for them than how we build the infrastructure.— infrastructure. cara, returning to housina , infrastructure. cara, returning to housing. we _ infrastructure. cara, returning to housing, we know— infrastructure. cara, returning to housing, we know what - infrastructure. cara, returning to housing, we know what a - infrastructure. cara, returning to| housing, we know what a concern infrastructure. cara, returning to i housing, we know what a concern it is. i was looking at the figures and whether it is 18—24 —year—olds, it is a third or a quarter of people putting in the top three things they want addressed. in terms of that as a backdrop, for them, when they hear talk of change the planning restrictions and we can get there, does it slightly underestimate the sort of local opposition that you sometimes see? i sort of local opposition that you sometimes see?— sort of local opposition that you sometimes see? i think what we seeinu sometimes see? i think what we seeing today _ sometimes see? i think what we seeing today is _ sometimes see? i think what we seeing today is really _ sometimes see? i think what we seeing today is really welcome l seeing today is really welcome longer term attempts to try and deal with some of the underlying problems of the housing process. increasing housing supply, making rental tenancies more secure. but as you say, a lot of people have more immediate concerns and housing costs they are seeing right now. for the government, the way they can

intervene is through the benefit system and housing allowance and in the budget, the government has key decisions on whether it freezes housing allowance or whether they choose to operate that and can benefit the living standards of renters. i, i, i i, , renters. no-fault evictions, your thouuhts renters. no-fault evictions, your thoughts around _ renters. no-fault evictions, your thoughts around that _ renters. no-fault evictions, your thoughts around that and - renters. no-fault evictions, your thoughts around that and the - thoughts around that and the legislation and should we be seeing just the end of selling social housing? fin just the end of selling social housina ? i, i, i i, , housing? on the no-fault evictions, ureat housing? on the no-fault evictions, treat as a housing? on the no-fault evictions, great as a continuity _ housing? on the no-fault evictions, great as a continuity with _ housing? on the no-fault evictions, great as a continuity with the - great as a continuity with the previous government's policy of banning those. again, we are still to see full details, what will be in this government's version of that bill. social housing important to increasing the supply of social housing, so important to see where the government gets too unaware that sits on a 1.5 million homes.— sits on a 1.5 million homes. emma, i was reading — sits on a 1.5 million homes. emma, i was reading the _ sits on a 1.5 million homes. emma, i was reading the papers _ sits on a 1.5 million homes. emma, i was reading the papers yesterday - sits on a 1.5 million homes. emma, i l was reading the papers yesterday and you are smiling already because you know what i'm going to ask. there is talk of you becoming the new chief

climate adviser for the government, is that on the cards? i climate adviser for the government, is that on the cards?— is that on the cards? i think it is an amazing _ is that on the cards? i think it is an amazing thing _ is that on the cards? i think it is an amazing thing that _ is that on the cards? i think it is an amazing thing that a - is that on the cards? i think it is| an amazing thing that a business leader— an amazing thing that a business leader could been linked with net zero in _ leader could been linked with net zero in that way because it shows you how — zero in that way because it shows you how important is to growth but i have not— you how important is to growth but i have not been appointed to government. i am the chief executive of energy— government. i am the chief executive of energy uk. is it government. i am the chief executive of energy uk-— of energy uk. is it in the offing? not to my _ of energy uk. is it in the offing? not to my knowledge. _ of energy uk. is it in the offing? not to my knowledge. that - of energy uk. is it in the offing? not to my knowledge. that is i of energy uk. is it in the offing? - not to my knowledge. that is pretty clear. we have _ not to my knowledge. that is pretty clear. we have to _ not to my knowledge. that is pretty clear. we have to leave _ not to my knowledge. that is pretty clear. we have to leave it _ not to my knowledge. that is pretty clear. we have to leave it there - not to my knowledge. that is pretty clear. we have to leave it there but| clear. we have to leave it there but cara and emma, thank you forjoining us on the green. i'm going to take you briefly back inside the house of commons because we saw some of the leaders, the initial speeches, we saw keir starmer and rishi sunak and sir ed davey as we just pulled the pictures up. it is interesting because here we are seeing the start of the debate of the king speech and that actually goes on for five days. they go through it day by day, discussing the details. so we have quite a lot of debate coming up over the next few days on the key planks

of what the king's speech as outlined. as i say, a0 different bits of legislation and we have been going through area by area, trying to actually put a focus on what the government is proposing and what they hope to achieve in certainly they hope to achieve in certainly the first 100 days. they talk about the first 100 days. they talk about the first 100 days. they talk about the first steps for government. you will have seen earlier, i mentioned it a short while ago, that keir starmer when he was talking, he was interrupted twice about the child, the two child benefits cap. so that is interesting because that is an area clearly already we are seeing the labour party under pressure. we here we are likely to see amendments put down during this king's speech debate over the coming days. why don't we talk about poverty, that issueis don't we talk about poverty, that issue is a huge issue? i'm joined by two child poverty

and justice campaigners — sophie howes from the child poverty action group. and ed davies from the centre for socialjustice and welcome to both of you. as was the case with my last two guests, thank you for patiently waiting as we have been listening to the events of the commons. we had those interventions about that two child cap. a lot of pressure already on sir keir starmer. sophie, in terms of your organisation, how important is lifting that cap? it is of your organisation, how important is lifting that cap?— is lifting that cap? it is terribly important- _ is lifting that cap? it is terribly important. we _ is lifting that cap? it is terribly important. we at _ is lifting that cap? it is terribly important. we at the - is lifting that cap? it is terribly important. we at the child - is lifting that cap? it is terribly - important. we at the child poverty action group, this is our number one priority. we say in terms of lifting families out of poverty it is the most cost effective action the government can take, it gets the most bang for your buck in terms of the amount of children lifted out of poverty. the amount of children lifted out of ove . , the amount of children lifted out of ove . i , i, the amount of children lifted out of ove . i ii, , , the amount of children lifted out of ove . , , i, , , , i, poverty. give me some numbers so --eole poverty. give me some numbers so people can — poverty. give me some numbers so people can make — poverty. give me some numbers so people can make an _ poverty. give me some numbers so people can make an assessment. i poverty. give me some numbers so| people can make an assessment. in terms of how much families lose out after their second child, what is

that figure and in terms of if that cap was lifted, do you have a number of children that would be lifted out of children that would be lifted out of poverty? the of children that would be lifted out of ove ? i, , of children that would be lifted out of ove ? , i, , of children that would be lifted out of ove ? i,, , ., , i, of poverty? the last brand they two child limit is — of poverty? the last brand they two child limit is around _ of poverty? the last brand they two child limit is around £3500 - of poverty? the last brand they two child limit is around £3500 a - of poverty? the last brand they two child limit is around £3500 a year i child limit is around £3500 a year for the third child that families do not receive. if it was scrapped, 300,000 children would be lifted out of poverty overnight. another 700,000 children would be living on less deep poverty. so it would make an immediate difference to the lives of over i an immediate difference to the lives of overi million children and it would give families those financial resources, because that is what they really need, they need money to meet their children's basic needs for housing, food, clothing, being able to pay for school trips, all of those things, families need money for that. ~ i, , i, i, , i, for that. where are you and your organisation _ for that. where are you and your organisation on _ for that. where are you and your organisation on this, _ for that. where are you and your organisation on this, ed? - for that. where are you and your organisation on this, ed? i- for that. where are you and your organisation on this, ed? i saw. for that. where are you and your. organisation on this, ed? i saw one of your press releases saying it is a different government but the same challenges? i

pressure — because i think there is so much pressure on _ because i think there is so much pressure on his own particles that you also— pressure on his own particles that you also have to understand why he is under— you also have to understand why he is under pressure. by the end of this parliament, it will cost about £3 this parliament, it will cost about 5 billion— this parliament, it will cost about £3 billion every year year to do this _ £3 billion every year year to do this he — £3 billion every year year to do this. he has to decide this is definitely the best way to spend £3 billion, _ definitely the best way to spend £3 billion, right across government as well not _ billion, right across government as well notjust with billion, right across government as well not just with a net welfare. the second part is it is quite popular— the second part is it is quite popular with the public so he has to bring _ popular with the public so he has to bring the _ popular with the public so he has to bring the public with him if he wants— bring the public with him if he wants to _ bring the public with him if he wants to change it. that is historically why governments have not been _ historically why governments have not been keen to rush into this change — not been keen to rush into this change so_ not been keen to rush into this chance. not been keen to rush into this chanie, ., not been keen to rush into this chance. i, , not been keen to rush into this chance. ii , i, change. so if that is not the avenue. — change. so if that is not the avenue, what _ change. so if that is not the avenue, what are _ change. so if that is not the avenue, what are the i change. so if that is not the avenue, what are the other| change. so if that is not the - avenue, what are the other avenues to address this problem?— to address this problem? there are two sides to _ to address this problem? there are two sides to this, _ to address this problem? there are two sides to this, the _ to address this problem? there are two sides to this, the day-to-day l two sides to this, the day—to—day poverty. — two sides to this, the day—to—day poverty. do— two sides to this, the day—to—day poverty, do you have enough money to spend _ poverty, do you have enough money to spend question but that is a political— spend question but that is a political decision of how much to put into— political decision of how much to put into the welfare system. then there _ put into the welfare system. then there is— put into the welfare system. then there is a — put into the welfare system. then there is a big long term, child poverty— there is a big long term, child poverty is— there is a big long term, child poverty is not going away and we need _ poverty is not going away and we need a _ poverty is not going away and we need a proper strategy. 0n events like this, _ need a proper strategy. 0n events like this, i_ need a proper strategy. 0n events like this, i look at five things, more — like this, i look at five things, more employment, more education, families— more employment, more education, families stability, debt and addiction. if we're serious about tackling — addiction. if we're serious about tackling child poverty, those are the things we need to address. | tackling child poverty, those are the things we need to address. i can see ou the things we need to address. i can see you nodding _ the things we need to address. i can see you nodding your _ the things we need to address. i can

see you nodding your head. the things we need to address. i canj see you nodding your head. nodding m head see you nodding your head. nodding my head on — see you nodding your head. nodding my head on a _ see you nodding your head. nodding my head on a couple _ see you nodding your head. nodding my head on a couple of _ see you nodding your head. nodding my head on a couple of things. i see you nodding your head. nodding my head on a couple of things. on i my head on a couple of things. 0n resources, i think it is about government priorities. the government can decide to spend this money now can pick up the pieces of poverty later. we calculated child poverty later. we calculated child poverty costs the government billion a year. it is around making that investment to then save later on. in terms of public support, i think it depends on the questions you ask the public. but i do, there is consensus around the idea that the government need to take action on child poverty. the majority of people really support that and we know this is the most cost—effective way to do it. it is the most cost-effective way to do it. , is the most cost-effective way to do it. i i, i_ it. it is worth saying the government _ it. it is worth saying the government will - it. it is worth saying the government will stress | it. it is worth saying the | government will stress it it. it is worth saying the i government will stress it is it. it is worth saying the - government will stress it is not that they are taking action. keir starmer said everyone in this house is of the same view that we need to tackle this problem. it is just i suppose two things, whether there is money to do it now and whether are other avenues, all sorts of other ad avenues which can help? it is important — avenues which can help? it is important to _ avenues which can help? it 3 important to acknowledge the

government have committed to across child poverty strategy. they will have a task force to push that strategy forward, which they announced today. important first steps. a, announced today. important first stes. �* i, . announced today. important first stes.�* , announced today. important first stes. , i, announced today. important first stes. �* , i, i, steps. a task force, is that what ou steps. a task force, is that what you need? _ steps. a task force, is that what you need? it — steps. a task force, is that what you need? it is— steps. a task force, is that what you need? it is laying _ steps. a task force, is that what you need? it is laying the i you need? it is laying the groundwork _ you need? it is laying the groundwork for _ you need? it is laying the groundwork for a - you need? it is laying the| groundwork for a properly you need? it is laying the - groundwork for a properly designed strategy, which is what we need, but somethings cannot wait for a strategy. abolishing at the two child policy, that cannot wait, families are struggling and they need that now. i think there are a broader range of actions the government can take along some of the areas that ed talked about. education, employment, housing, childcare, we would see that as part of a childcare strategy. it is not either or you can invest in those and the social security system and thatis and the social security system and that is what children and families need. ii i ii that is what children and families need. ii , i, , i, ii, , that is what children and families need. ii , i, , i, need. there was a reporter couple of da s aao, need. there was a reporter couple of days ago. around _ need. there was a reporter couple of days ago, around 1.5 _ need. there was a reporter couple of days ago, around 1.5 million - days ago, around 1.5 million children not sleeping in their own beds. there is a wider problem here. you were talking to me a short while

ago about even the numbers of children not attending school. we have a huge problem with school absence — have a huge problem with school absence at the moment and it was disappointing not to say that. about 150,000 _ disappointing not to say that. about 150,000 children out of school more than a _ 150,000 children out of school more than a net _ 150,000 children out of school more than a net and we don't know why and as many— than a net and we don't know why and as many as _ than a net and we don't know why and as many as one in five are absent one day— as many as one in five are absent one day a — as many as one in five are absent one day a fortnight, which is a huge number _ one day a fortnight, which is a huge number we — one day a fortnight, which is a huge number. we know the scarring of that will be _ number. we know the scarring of that will be very— number. we know the scarring of that will be very long term. that is something we are desperate to see the new— something we are desperate to see the new government do something about _ the new government do something about it _ the new government do something about. it was growing pre—covid but since _ about. it was growing pre—covid but since covid, — about. it was growing pre—covid but since covid, the numbers have gone up since covid, the numbers have gone up and _ since covid, the numbers have gone up and up _ since covid, the numbers have gone up and up and up. i think there has been— up and up and up. i think there has beena— up and up and up. i think there has beena breaking up and up and up. i think there has been a breaking a contract between parents _ been a breaking a contract between parents and schools that needs to be addressed, _ parents and schools that needs to be addressed, that parents need to see dotty men— addressed, that parents need to see dotty men what you mean by that? we interviewed _ dotty men what you mean by that? we interviewed parents and said do you think your— interviewed parents and said do you think your child should go to school every— think your child should go to school every day? — think your child should go to school every day? nearly a third did not think— every day? nearly a third did not think they— every day? nearly a third did not think they should. that seems to be a bl- think they should. that seems to be a big problem if we get children to school— a big problem if we get children to school every day. there will be lots of underlying reasons of our mental health— of underlying reasons of our mental health and — of underlying reasons of our mental health and learning disabilities but fundamentally, if parents don't think— fundamentally, if parents don't think their children should be at school— think their children should be at school in — think their children should be at school in large numbers, we will

struggle — school in large numbers, we will struggle to get children back. a final struggle to get children back. final word, struggle to get children back. finalword, sophie. if, and it doesn't look like there will be a shift in the immediate while from labour and the cap we were talking about, so what in your view are the priorities, what else does the focus need to be on?— need to be on? they have to invest in social security _ need to be on? they have to invest in social security systems - need to be on? they have to invest in social security systems through l in social security systems through the two child limit and through things like child benefit and spending money on free school meals would help. those things would be positive in terms of putting money backin positive in terms of putting money back in the pockets of low income families to help them in this immediate situation. we families to help them in this immediate situation. we have to leave it there. _ immediate situation. we have to leave it there. sophie _ immediate situation. we have to leave it there. sophie and i immediate situation. we have to leave it there. sophie and ed, i immediate situation. we have to i leave it there. sophie and ed, thank you for being here with me on the green. i am sure that is one of the areas we are going to see much more over the next couple of days. as i say, it is expected there will be an amendment to try and see a left of that limit. that is going to ramble on and we will speak to stephen flynn on the programme in the next little while from the snp. aside

from all of that, several hard—fought campaigns have been recognised by the new government. martyn's law is one of them, requiring stronger anti—terror plans. while addressing mps in the house of commons, the prime minister spoke about the government's commitment to martyn's law. to the family of martyn hett, and all the families affected by the horrific events in manchester that day. figen murray, martyn's mum, walked 200 miles to tell us that britain needs that law quickly. i told her then that she would get that from a labour government and we honour that promise today and i'm very grateful for the indication for the cross party support that we will have on that very important provision. because the security of the british people is the most fundamental priority of any government. and whether our fight is against terrorists,

the vile criminal smuggling gangs that weaken our borders, or foreign powers which threaten the security of this nation — we will leave no stone unturned when it comes to keeping the british people safe. joining me now is figen murray whose son, martyn hett, was one of 22 people killed in the manchester arena bombing in 2017. figen murrau thank you for the mothers us on bbc news. you will have been listening to the prime minister and sena bought forward. your reaction? i'm obviously delighted that it is in the king's speech on the prime minister so supportive of the legislation and quite likely quite rightly said, security is one of the most important tasks a government could have. i important tasks a government could have. ~ i, i i, have. i know when the election was

called she really _ have. i know when the election was called she really feared _ have. i know when the election was called she really feared that - have. i know when the election was called she really feared that even i called she really feared that even though rishi sunak had committed to bringing in this law that perhaps it would be lost. he must�*ve felt that perhaps it was for good. would be lost. he must've felt that perhaps it was for good.— perhaps it was for good. well, i didn't. i perhaps it was for good. well, i didn't- i did _ perhaps it was for good. well, i didn't. i did in _ perhaps it was for good. well, i didn't. i did in the _ perhaps it was for good. well, i didn't. i did in the middle i perhaps it was for good. well, i didn't. i did in the middle of. perhaps it was for good. well, i | didn't. i did in the middle of the day when i spoke to rishi sunak but then i had a meeting with keir starmer and some of his then cabinet ministers, the shadow cabinet, and as i met these people, itjust suddenly felt completely different. ijust suddenly felt completely different. i just felt more suddenly felt completely different. ijust felt more positive. i couldn't quite put my finger on it but there was just literally just more sincerity in what i was hearing and also what really impressed me was keir starmer during his very busy campaigning period before he touched it with me and which i

really respect and it completely surprised me in a good way and gimme puns, confidence actually the person has integrity. puns, confidence actually the person has integrity-— has integrity. tammy, in your view, the difference _ has integrity. tammy, in your view, the difference this _ has integrity. tammy, in your view, the difference this law _ has integrity. tammy, in your view, the difference this law will - the difference this law will actually made. —— tell me, in your view. actually made. -- tell me, in your view. �* i, , i, view. at the moment, there is no requirement _ view. at the moment, there is no requirement for _ view. at the moment, there is no requirement for anybody - view. at the moment, there is no requirement for anybody to i view. at the moment, there is no i requirement for anybody to provide security, it is all voluntary and only a recommendation. what matins law will do is make it a law that members, whether the big arena of a sports arena or a big restaurant or a or cinema or a university for instance or a hospital is all being required to have security in place and will be required to train some of their staff in going what to do

in other situations and at the moment that's only not the case and will make members more secure and definitely save lives. we will make members more secure and definitely save lives.— definitely save lives. we touched u on it in definitely save lives. we touched upon it in your— definitely save lives. we touched upon it in your first _ definitely save lives. we touched upon it in your first answer i definitely save lives. we touched upon it in your first answer and i definitely save lives. we touched i upon it in your first answer and the vital needs for it in the times we live in at the moment.— vital needs for it in the times we live in at the moment. when we look at the geopolitical _ live in at the moment. when we look at the geopolitical situation - live in at the moment. when we look at the geopolitical situation and i at the geopolitical situation and the ukraine wall with what's happening in the gaza strip, the verdict —- happening in the gaza strip, the verdict —— the world has become a really unsafe place and we had the attempted shooting of donald trump as well and wherever you look on the globe things are not safe and there is a lot of unrest and these are dangerous times we live in so martin's law is no more important than ever. , i ii martin's law is no more important than ever. . i ii i, martin's law is no more important than ever-— than ever. just a final thought, 'ust uive than ever. just a final thought, just give me — than ever. just a final thought, just give me an _ than ever. just a final thought, just give me an idea _ than ever. just a final thought, just give me an idea on - than ever. just a final thought, just give me an idea on human|

than ever. just a final thought, i just give me an idea on human level what it is like campaigning during the importance of that and trying to grieve your son. the importance of that and trying to grieve your son-— grieve your son. started with an oane grieve your son. started with an online campaign _ grieve your son. started with an online campaign for— grieve your son. started with an online campaign for six - grieve your son. started with an online campaign for six months| grieve your son. started with an i online campaign for six months 5.5 years ago and it culminated with being a 5.5 year campaign and obviously we went for the biggest action in terms of the campaign looking for the exact spot where martyn died in the manchester arena to number ten. the top cost for me was i started already with a dodgy hit at the beginning of the war. i was a lot in of pain and they ended up was a lot in of pain and they ended up having a hip replacement in august. what i do it again absolutely? i would call to number ten if i had to. this is really important and simply has to happen. this much i would crawl to number ten if i had to.— ten if i had to. thank you for takin: ten if i had to. thank you for taking time _ ten if i had to. thank you for

taking time to _ ten if i had to. thank you for taking time to speech i ten if i had to. thank you for taking time to speech was i ten if i had to. thank you for| taking time to speech was on ten if i had to. thank you for i taking time to speech was on bbc news. we are grateful. another major announcement we had today was the girls below introducing a legal duty of candour for public servants following a decades long campaign with those who died during ——the other major announcement is a hillsborough law, would introduce a legal duty of candour for public servants, honouring a decades—long campaign from the families of those who died in the disaster. joining me now is our north of england correspondentjudith moritz. again, keir starmerspoke at again, keir starmer spoke at length and didn'tjust mention hillsborough but all the other terrible scandals where that has been the tech principle issue, the lack of candour. principle issue, the lack of candour-— principle issue, the lack of candour. ~ , . . principle issue, the lack of candour. ~ , ., ., , principle issue, the lack of candour. , ., ., , ., candour. absolutely and that is what has continued _ candour. absolutely and that is what has continued to _ candour. absolutely and that is what has continued to motivate _ candour. absolutely and that is what has continued to motivate the - has continued to motivate the campaigners for the hills below. every time they see something like the grenfell inquiry, post office inquiry, infected blood scandal, they say look this is why the legislation we are pushing bow is still so badly needed. i should say you havejust still so badly needed. i should say you have just spoken to about martin's law and in the face of it

her legislation and the hills below have nothing really in common. hers is about counterterrorism venues and hills below is about a duty of truth, accountability and candour of public officials and financial support as well for bereaved families that go through inquiries but what they do have in common, i would say to you, is they both signify a victory, bailey, for people power. those and also our�*s law, a law to do with housing, have also been really pushed for by ordinary members of the public event himself in the public eye experiencing a situation that they don't want others to experience. —— awab's law. the hills below has been campaigned about for decades most actively since the end of the hillsborough inquest in 2016 which found that the liverpool fans died in the accident were unlawfully killed. that was the point that

survivors and people involved in a inquest process came forward and said we need a law to prevent people like is going to the sort of things again. like is going to the sort of things aaain. , , , ., like is going to the sort of things aaain. , ,., ., again. just tell me in terms of what the sanctions _ again. just tell me in terms of what the sanctions the _ again. just tell me in terms of what the sanctions the government - again. just tell me in terms of what the sanctions the government is . the sanctions the government is talking about if people fail to actually carry out that duty of care? ~ ., , actually carry out that duty of care? ~ . , ., , ., care? what this will do in terms of the broadbrush _ care? what this will do in terms of the broadbrush answer— care? what this will do in terms of the broadbrush answer to - care? what this will do in terms of the broadbrush answer to that - care? what this will do in terms of the broadbrush answer to that is i the broadbrush answer to that is make it illegal not to comply with public inquiries to withhold information to spurn. narrative to do some of the things which the hillsborough families would say and look at post offices as well, situations where you might like that in this situation where they need to be candid. it will make it a legal duty. how it is going to work in practice, the detail, the devil will be in the detail and it is notjust

about duty of candour about financial support forfamilies. about duty of candour about financialsupport forfamilies. if financial support for families. if you look financialsupport forfamilies. if you look at the hillsborough case those families had a funds raised by themselves for years to afford legal representation and were outgunned by the deep pockets of the state. you know, they were up against the police and other authorities in court and they had a lot more money to play with the lawyers so this will also look at providing financial assistance for families but the detail is yet to be written. there is legislation ready to go that existed in 2017, hillsborough law that nearly made it onto the statute books then and was dropped at the last minute because of the general election called in 2017 and so what the campaigners say now is that they are very pleased to hear it as being in the king's speech today but the devil will be in the detail when it comes to working out with the justice detail when it comes to working out with thejustice secretary detail when it comes to working out with the justice secretary exactly what they're law is going to boil down to when it comes to the sanctions and the enforceability of it. . .,

sanctions and the enforceability of it. thanks for taking us through all of that. it. thanks for taking us through all of that- let's _ it. thanks for taking us through all of that. let's turn _ it. thanks for taking us through all of that. let's turn to _ it. thanks for taking us through all of that. let's turn to a _ it. thanks for taking us through all of that. let's turn to a different. of that. let's turn to a different area because the labour government has allowed more details about its plan to change the house of lords during the king's speech. the new bill will phase out the remaining hereditary peers whose presence in the lords is described as outdated and indefensible. the a minister previously said he would abolish the parliamentary chamber in its present form altogether. jeremy live in westminster is chief executive of the electoral reform society and on the electoral reform society and on the line is professor meg russell, perch of the constitution unit at university colleague college london. my, festival, what you make of the proposals you've heard so far? they are taking a very piecemeal approach here which is not surprising, quite practical and sensible that the bill that is in the speech about the removal of the hereditary peers is presented very much as a small first step and one can say that it's unfinished business from the labour government

of 1997, business from the labour government of1997, really, because they business from the labour government of 1997, really, because they had a bill in 1998, 99, that was supposed to get rid of all of the hereditary peers but there was a cross—party agreement to ease that bill through which resulted in 92 of them remaining. it was supposed to be a temporary measure and here we are 25 years later still waiting for a change to happen. so it's not surprising they want to move and act quickly. they framed it very narrowly to ensure the bill doesn't get bogged down and delayed but they're also promising further stages of reform and i think of other things we might talk about which they could sensibly do without the need for legislation and do quickly but after they've done this change they are going to want to move onto larger scale stuff which might prove a bit more quickly. fine might prove a bit more quickly. one thin which might prove a bit more quickly. one: thing which perhaps may might prove a bit more quickly. (315 thing which perhaps may been considered but didn't make it in terms of what we saw today was having a sort of top end age limit. a police they backed off because a calculation saying if the age limit

was 80 you would actually be losing 3671 years experience gone. there was a statement on the labour manifesto which i think is a really important statement and i certainly do hope they're going to be acting on that which is that the house of lords is too big. it hovers around 800 members and even once you've removed the hereditary peers it'll still be a over 700 even before you've appointed any new people which is quite likely to happen to level the numbers up so i think it's very important that they take measures to sink the size of the house. i would have liked to see in the bill a commitment to a cap on the bill a commitment to a cap on the site of the house to sit can be a bigger than the house of commons. i think a lot of people in the public would like to see that too but the question is how you get there. the retirement age of 80, they were actually not suggesting should be introduced until the end of this parliament so they still might go with it but it wasn't going to have an effect until this parliament was over and i actually

think in the meantime there are other things that could be done to get the size down perhaps by agreement between parties to encourage people to try and that kind of thing. encourage people to try and that kind of thing-— encourage people to try and that kind of thing. never there saying 'ust the kind of thing. never there saying just the size _ kind of thing. never there saying just the size of _ kind of thing. never there saying just the size of the _ kind of thing. never there saying just the size of the second - kind of thing. never there saying i just the size of the second chamber is too big. is that an assessment you would agree with? it is is too big. is that an assessment you would agree with?— is too big. is that an assessment you would agree with? it is far too larae you would agree with? it is far too lane for you would agree with? it is far too large for what's — you would agree with? it is far too large for what's required - you would agree with? it is far too large for what's required for - you would agree with? it is far too large for what's required for the i large for what's required for the important — large for what's required for the important work a second chamber needs_ important work a second chamber needs to — important work a second chamber needs to do anything the faith and trust in _ needs to do anything the faith and trust in institutions and policy is so very— trust in institutions and policy is so very low— trust in institutions and policy is so very low at the moment and what's encouraging _ so very low at the moment and what's encouraging about that is the new government trying to think about improvements to institutions. there is a long _ improvements to institutions. there is a long way to go involve this but i think— is a long way to go involve this but i think at— is a long way to go involve this but i think at least its a start to go to the — i think at least its a start to go to the hereditary peers. 92 out of 800. _ to the hereditary peers. 92 out of 800. only— to the hereditary peers. 92 out of 800, only china has a second chamber bigger— 800, only china has a second chamber bigger so— 800, only china has a second chamber bigger so the scale of the task is large _ bigger so the scale of the task is large. that's why the second, impressionistic stay on here because this measure of getting rid of the hereditaries is meant to be at 25 year— hereditaries is meant to be at 25 year but — hereditaries is meant to be at 25 year but has ended up being a

quarter— year but has ended up being a quarter century process. we need to keep up— quarter century process. we need to keep up with the next stage of the democracy. keep up with the next stage of the democra . ., keep up with the next stage of the democracy-— democracy. you can put a cap and that in the — democracy. you can put a cap and that in the process _ democracy. you can put a cap and that in the process but _ democracy. you can put a cap and that in the process but if - democracy. you can put a cap and that in the process but if you - democracy. you can put a cap and| that in the process but if you keep appointing you still have a very large chamber. the appointing you still have a very large chamber.— large chamber. the principle that needs to underline _ large chamber. the principle that needs to underline this _ large chamber. the principle that needs to underline this is - large chamber. the principle that needs to underline this is that. needs to underline this is that people — needs to underline this is that people should be chosen by the people — people should be chosen by the people by not by prime ministers. we can't rety— people by not by prime ministers. we can't rely on — people by not by prime ministers. we can't rely on prime ministerial page on edge _ can't rely on prime ministerial page on edge. the at retirement ages is a blunt— on edge. the at retirement ages is a blunt instrument but that's because the scale _ blunt instrument but that's because the scale of the task to try and reform — the scale of the task to try and reform it — the scale of the task to try and reform it is so difficult. they are very— reform it is so difficult. they are very good — reform it is so difficult. they are very good at delaying and taking things— very good at delaying and taking things off. very good at delaying and taking thins off. ,, w' very good at delaying and taking thins off. ,, a ., ., very good at delaying and taking thins off. ,, w ., ., ., things off. quick thought on the age of votinr things off. quick thought on the age of voting because _ things off. quick thought on the age of voting because that's _ things off. quick thought on the age of voting because that's another - of voting because that's another thing people were watching to see if they would be a bill about bringing it down to 16. i don't get all that. it wasn't in there but it was in the

labour— it wasn't in there but it was in the labour party manifesto so we were expecting — labour party manifesto so we were expecting it. we had a 60% voter turnout _ expecting it. we had a 60% voter turnout and 5 million people missing the electoral register and we have -ot the electoral register and we have got to— the electoral register and we have got to improve anticipation —— participation and way of doing that is to he _ participation and way of doing that is to be more people into the franchise _ is to be more people into the franchise including 16 and 17—year—olds are not good down the path of— 17—year—olds are not good down the path of voter id which was cutting off barriers to voting. back path of voter id which was cutting off barriers to voting.— path of voter id which was cutting off barriers to voting. back to make because one _ off barriers to voting. back to make because one area _ off barriers to voting. back to make because one area we _ off barriers to voting. back to make because one area we have - off barriers to voting. back to make because one area we have not - off barriers to voting. back to make i because one area we have not touched upon as the quality of the appointees. upon as the quality of the appointees-— upon as the quality of the a- ointees. , ., �* ., i. appointees. yes, and i'm glad you asked me that _ appointees. yes, and i'm glad you asked me that because _ appointees. yes, and i'm glad you asked me that because there - appointees. yes, and i'm glad you asked me that because there is i asked me that because there is another very important element of what was in the manifesto which is something that they can do without legislation which is to reform the appointments process. i totally agree with you about you can't control the size of the chamber unless you control the way in as well as encouraging people to leave so i think that limiting the numbers is very important but they have also committed in the manifesto to improving quality and there are certain things you can do there so that we have an independent house of

lords appointments commission which affects the names that are put forward by the parties but at the moment it has very limited power. it can only complain about them on what's called proprietary games. but people have been pressing for years that its power should be broadened to allow it to make recommendations on suitability. another thing that it would be nice to see from keir starmer which i hope we might see is a commitment that he will always abide by the recommendations of the independent appointments commission because there was an occasion when borisjohnson didn't do that which generated, demonstrated how actually relatively weak and organisation it was. so i think again there is also public support for strengthening the independent oversight of the appointments process and taking some of that unilateral power out of the hands of the prime minister to ensure that there are more quality checks in the process and that's something that keir starmer could simply announce. it doesn't need to be in a deal and then kind of hoping that we may be hearing that in the coming days and weeks but we'll see.

weight good to talk to you both. leg muscle, thanks to you. induce here with me on the green. thanks very much. clearly a start of house of lords reform. thanks so much for your time. a quick look inside the commons because we are still listening to those speeches and monitoring. we will bring you some of the key extracts here in the programme in the next little while but the day and it's been an extraordinary day, always is with the state and opening of parliament, the state and opening of parliament, the first half of it completely focused on pomp and ceremony. we saw all of that with king charles and the queen arriving here and then in the queen arriving here and then in the second chamber that we've just been discussing, reading out the details of quite close to 110 bills and know those mps back there in the commons beginning the debate about the actual detail of the

government's legislative agenda. let's talk here with me to the climate minister sarahjones. sarah, climate minister sarah jones. sarah, welcome climate minister sarahjones. sarah, welcome here to westminster. it's been an extraordinary day. what was that like, just being there? he would have seen this for years as an opposition mp. what was it like being there in government introducing a legislative agenda? fascinating question. it's quite emotional actually as i've been an mp since 2017 sitting there time after time when you are not in control of what the bills are, they're not delivering what you think the country needs, to have the opportunity to introduce 110 pieces of legislation that do the things we've been talking about in opposition of a long time that we really hopefully reset the country on a kind of stable economic growth direction is, was enormously powerful and it was lovely to see the king, as well, and tojust see that he still maintaining that tradition, seeing all the pomp and

ceremony. it's so lovely, everybody lining the streets and watching him by. one word from the leaders directed at the king and his recovery. let's talk about the content, though. i'll ask you broader questions in a moment that your reverie is quite climate. industry. and in ministerfor industry and decarbonisation, quite an interesting one, notjust climate but how we create jobs and do what we need to the climate as well. your ruestion? we need to the climate as well. your question? what _ we need to the climate as well. your question? what you _ we need to the climate as well. your question? what you need to deliver in both those areas? fin question? what you need to deliver in both those areas?— question? what you need to deliver in both those areas? on energy, we want to make _ in both those areas? on energy, we want to make sure _ in both those areas? on energy, we want to make sure that _ in both those areas? on energy, we want to make sure that we - in both those areas? on energy, we want to make sure that we are - in both those areas? on energy, we want to make sure that we are not l want to make sure that we are not reliant any more on the likes of putin for our energy. this is about energy security and setting up great british energy which will be this publicly owned company based in scotland that will own and operate and manage clean energy is a really powerful way that we can get the country back on track and stop us falling into that trap again where we have huge, sudden rises in energy

costs so that's really... we have huge, sudden rises in energy costs so that's really. . ._ costs so that's really... clean ener: costs so that's really... clean energy by _ costs so that's really... clean energy by 2030. _ costs so that's really... clean energy by 2030, is _ costs so that's really... clean energy by 2030, is that - costs so that's really... clean i energy by 2030, is that realistic comedy think? irate energy by 2030, is that realistic comedy think?— energy by 2030, is that realistic comedy think? we have brought ministers from _ comedy think? we have brought ministers from outside - comedy think? we have brought ministers from outside to - comedy think? we have brought ministers from outside to help l comedy think? we have broughtl ministers from outside to help us comedy think? we have brought - ministers from outside to help us do this. it's a stretch. ed miliband has been really clear this is mixed critical and something we really want to do so we looked at how we manage during holi to develop a vaccine so quickly and what weather lessons in terms of how government can operate and move at pace and the amount we have done in the first eight days i think shows the pace with which you want to travel and thatis with which you want to travel and that is a great british energy will help us get there but there are other tools as well like having an industrial strategy that will really help us get there.— help us get there. given by the short time _ help us get there. given by the short time when _ help us get there. given by the short time when you _ help us get there. given by the short time when you talk - help us get there. given by the short time when you talk about help us get there. given by the i short time when you talk about a 2030, does that imperil thousands of jobs in the oil and gas sector? fiil jobs in the oil and gas sector? oil and jobs in the oil and gas sector? (1) l and gas is coming down in terms of thejobs we have and gas is coming down in terms of the jobs we have two oil and gas. and gas is coming down in terms of thejobs we have two oil and gas. it will naturally have. it's about halved over the last decade. we will

eventually run out of oil and gas and we know that we need to change. eventually, but you are talking about clean energy by 2030 so i am talking about this job is given about clean energy by 2030 so i am talking about thisjob is given in the sector. to recognise that potentially many others may be imperil? potentially many others may be im eril? ~ ., ., ., potentially many others may be imeril? ~ ., ., ., ., ., ., imperil? what we want to do and what we are trying — imperil? what we want to do and what we are trying to _ imperil? what we want to do and what we are trying to develop _ imperil? what we want to do and what we are trying to develop through - imperil? what we want to do and what we are trying to develop through the l we are trying to develop through the industrial strategy and our energy policies is where those jobs, how can we put new industry into those areas, where every skills matching. if you look at some new energy production like hydrogen, floating offshore wind, all these where there is a global race on to get the jobs and to create them, those jobs from oil and gas that we would want to transition people also that we can make sure people's jobs and livelihoods are protected. we are going to need oil and gas for a long time to come and nobody is suggesting otherwise because if you look at the way we rely on these things in our energy infrastructure at the moment there is are we going

to be needing gas and oilfor long time to come so we want to make sure as thosejobs diminish time to come so we want to make sure as those jobs diminish naturally we also are creating jobs and using all kinds of tools, whether the national wealth fund of our british jobs bonus to encourage industry to work with us and create jobs in areas where we need them whether that's scotland, the north east, north west or across the country. quick question because the public will be watching this and saying i keep hearing the governments on energy bills will come down, but weldon? the real issue is energy security because we know there are reports that say if we don't act now there will be huge surge in prices, as we saw, overthe will be huge surge in prices, as we saw, over the last couple of years and that was catastrophic for lots of people. we need to make sure that doesn't happen but this bill sits alongside all of the other pieces of

legislation, many of which put more money in people's pockets and will improve lives. there is a whole raft of policies that we have, whether breakfast clubs for our kids or changes to working practices so people have more security in the workplace, that will make people better off and that is our driving... this is a government of service. we want to make people better off and that's the absolute core of everything we're doing. here is the thing- — core of everything we're doing. here is the thing. that _ core of everything we're doing. here is the thing. that is _ core of everything we're doing. here is the thing. that is the _ core of everything we're doing. here is the thing. that is the hope. the reality is if you could flick a switch and get growth every government will be doing it. we have got anaemic growth. is the reality if you don't do what you you're going to do it is going to mean either tax rises or hefty, hefty cuts? i either tax rises or hefty, hefty cuts? , , cuts? i disagree with the premise. i renuinel cuts? i disagree with the premise. i genuinely don't _ cuts? i disagree with the premise. i genuinely don't believe _ cuts? i disagree with the premise. i genuinely don't believe the - cuts? i disagree with the premise. i| genuinely don't believe the previous government in the last four years had been trying to do the things we need to do. i’m had been trying to do the things we need to do— need to do. i'm talking about governments _ need to do. i'm talking about

governments right _ need to do. i'm talking about governments right across - need to do. i'm talking aboutj governments right across the need to do. i'm talking about - governments right across the pace. european governments. everyone government wants way to growth in the all 20 believers and you can pull levers that to give you growth mean you won't have to think taxes are pushed through sizeable cuts. irate are pushed through sizeable cuts. - have looked around the world at what other people are doing. we have looked at what's been done in america, with all of the subsidies, support and encouragement they are giving to new businesses to come and opening to build. you look at what they're doing in europe. if you look at what people are doing across the world, people have active industrial strategy is where the government says we have huge opportunities here but there are some barriers. we have a role to play as government to break down those barriers, get the jobs and in develop that economy. it is a fundamentally different approach to the conservatives to ideological didn't think it was the government's also look at the country and say actually read an industrial strategy, we need a plan. that's what the americans are doing, that's what they're doing in europe. they are reaping the benefits of that and that's what we're going to do in the uk because growth is the

number one priority. what you have set a target and we will be watching to see if you deliver it. thank you forjoining us and bring him in westminster. let us turn to another of the areas because of course in the election campaign for today so much talk about migration, illegal and legal. i much talk about migration, illegal and leual. .., much talk about migration, illegal and leual. . ., much talk about migration, illegal and leual. ., ~' ,, ., and legal. i can take you through some of the _ and legal. i can take you through some of the measures _ and legal. i can take you through some of the measures in - and legal. i can take you through some of the measures in the - and legal. i can take you through l some of the measures in the kings beach an issue. plans set out for a border security have counterterror powers, huge ones to tackle migrant committee uk. this is somebody joining us from a charity that works with refugees and campaigns are safe routes for displaced people. welcome here under the programme. that was a very quick switch but in terms of what you heard today, i am encouraged?— what you heard today, i am encouraged? what you heard today, i am encouraaed? . ., i. what you heard today, i am encouraaed? . ., ~ ., encouraged? welcome that you know, we've had 14 — encouraged? welcome that you know, we've had 14 years _ encouraged? welcome that you know, we've had 14 years of _ encouraged? welcome that you know,

we've had 14 years of cruel _ encouraged? welcome that you know, we've had 14 years of cruel and - we've had 14 years of cruel and publishing policies for refugees by the previous government and now we've got a really big opportunity. labour have won a huge majority for a radically different approach and a bold approach and what we've seen so far as the government has said it's going to scrap the rwanda plan and that's very important and it will make a big difference to the lives of refugees in the uk. however, there is this continuation of the focus on deterrence and security and ultimately what these 14 years have shown is that that does not work. we need to see instead as a food so that refugees are able to come to the uk, are able to apply for the right to stay here, and if we don't have that, we will continue to see channel crossings go up and continue to see people dying in the channel. before we get to talk about safe routes in more detail, in terms of, you will know what the public mood is on this topic. in terms of what you heard to tackle those people—smuggling gangs, the unit thatis

people—smuggling gangs, the unit that is being set up, the additional resources, in your view, that is being set up, the additional resources, in yourview, is that is being set up, the additional resources, in your view, is that sufficient, given the scale of what we're saying?— sufficient, given the scale of what we're saying? know and, as i said, that's a continuation _ we're saying? know and, as i said, that's a continuation of— we're saying? know and, as i said, that's a continuation of what - we're saying? know and, as i said, that's a continuation of what we've j that's a continuation of what we've seen far has not work. importance of safe routes means people are able to come to the uk and the idea just having extra patrols of a new security command will stop people is not correct. the home office's own analysis shows that deterrence does not work. refugees are crossing the channel sometimes across freezing cold waters in the knowledge that people have died here and they are doing that because they're desperate to find somewhere their say. schober will rive to find somewhere their say. schober will give you — to find somewhere their say. schober will give you the _ to find somewhere their say. schober will give you the idea _ to find somewhere their say. schober will give you the idea that _ to find somewhere their say. schober will give you the idea that if- to find somewhere their say. schober will give you the idea that if you - will give you the idea that if you had safe passage in safe routes that people would still come who weren't able to use those particular roots just wanted to come to the uk is still trying to come in the illegal ways they do?— still trying to come in the illegal ways they do? yes, well i think we have to lift — ways they do? yes, well i think we have to lift the _ ways they do? yes, well i think we have to lift the ban _ ways they do? yes, well i think we have to lift the ban on _ ways they do? yes, well i think we have to lift the ban on refugees i have to lift the ban on refugees that the previous government plus in

place and if people are able to come to the uk than they should be able to the uk than they should be able to apply for asylum and, for example, we've seen is that people from ukraine...— example, we've seen is that people from ukraine... what i would say to ou is if from ukraine... what i would say to you is if you — from ukraine... what i would say to you is if you go _ from ukraine... what i would say to you is if you go down _ from ukraine... what i would say to you is if you go down the _ from ukraine... what i would say to you is if you go down the rate - from ukraine... what i would say to you is if you go down the rate you i you is if you go down the rate you are recommending, more safe routes, there is no evidence, is there, but it would stop the illegal crossings? well, for example, ukrainians were able to come to the uk to a safe route. not a single person across the channel in a small boat because why would they? they were able to get visas and come to the uk on planes and come here safely. that's what we need to see. we need a refugee visa so that people are able to take the safe routes. because people don't have to want to... what people don't have to want to... what about economics _ people don't have to want to... what about economics migrants? those were people fleeing war. there are people who want to come here just because it is economically better. in terms of what you are suggesting, that doesn't suggest that that would stop that? , . ., y ., doesn't suggest that that would stop that? , _, _, ., ., ~ ., that? yes, welcome if you look at the number _ that? yes, welcome if you look at the number of _ that? yes, welcome if you look at the number of people _ that? yes, welcome if you look at the number of people who - that? yes, welcome if you look at the number of people who come i that? yes, welcome if you look at - the number of people who come across the number of people who come across

the last do make vast majority of them applied for asylum and to be refugees here and have those the vast majority are granted asylum so they are refugees coming across the channel and that's why we need to open the safe route so people able to do that safely. just open the safe route so people able to do that safely.— to do that safely. just a final thou . ht to do that safely. just a final thought because _ to do that safely. just a final thought because legal - to do that safely. just a final - thought because legal migration we've seen over the last little while record numbers and in terms of addressing that, what is your thought? i addressing that, what is your thou . ht? ., addressing that, what is your thouaht? ., , , �* , thought? i think firstly we're 'ust auoin to thought? i think firstly we're 'ust going to fl thought? i think firstly we're 'ust going to see there is i thought? i think firstly we're 'ust going to see there is the i thought? i think firstly we're just going to see there is the idea - thought? i think firstly we're just going to see there is the idea of| going to see there is the idea of legal versus a legal migration as part of the problem. people do have a right to come to the uk and they do have a right to apply for asylum here. it is not illegal under the refugee convention we are part of so it is important for us to remember that and say we need safe routes for this relatively small group of people who want to come to you can rebuild their lives here.— rebuild their lives here. listen, we have to leave _ rebuild their lives here. listen, we have to leave it _ rebuild their lives here. listen, we have to leave it there _ rebuild their lives here. listen, we have to leave it there but - rebuild their lives here. listen, we have to leave it there but thank i rebuild their lives here. listen, we| have to leave it there but thank you very much for coming us here on the green tea give us that perspective. we will be back in a few minutes here because we were talking to more of the politicians we've heard from

labour, a variety of cabinet spokespeople, but we'll hear from the conservatives, liberal democrats and the snp and talk to a journalist at the end of a long day. their assessment of what this day actually means as labour sets out its plan for government. that's coming up here injust a moment for government. that's coming up here in just a moment or two.

live from westminster, this is bbc news. the pomp and pageantry of the state opening of parliament for the first labour government in 14 years. royal fanfare. in a crowded house of lords, the king says the starmer government will create a new national energy company, nationalise railways, and reform planning and health laws. mps debate the contents of what they heard in their first session of the new parliament. the party leaders among those to address the commons. a king's speech that takes the brakes off our economy and shows to the british people that politics can be a force for good. the party opposite has successfully tapped into the public's desire for change, but they now must deliver change. and we on this side of the house will hold them accountable for delivering on the commitments that they made to the british people.

in the next hour, we'll be talking through what the surprises were and what it means to you. hello, and welcome to westminster. what a day it has been. we are coming toward the tail end of the day. right at the start of the day, we had all that pomp and ceremony. the king has used the state opening of parliament to outline the new labour government's plans for the year ahead. the king's speech includes proposals for nearly 40 new laws focusing on the economy, border security, crime and the renationalisation of britain's railways. the king said the government wanted to bring in a new deal to ban exploitative practices for working people and would reset relations with the european union. ian watson has been following events at westminster. labour's election slogan consisted

of one word — change. but the unveiling of the party's programme for government is steeped in tradition. fanfare. the ceremonial aspects of the state opening of parliament date back to the 1500s, and today's king's speech was the first to be written by a labour government for 15 years. black rod is sent to summon mps to the house of lords to hear the speech. it's a long—standing convention initially to slam the doors in herface. this is to emphasise the house of commons' independence from the sovereign. but political change was on display with this role reversal. keir starmer as prime minister, rishi sunak as leader of the opposition. mps crowded into the upper chamber as the king was given the task of summing up the new government's approach in one sentence. my government will govern in service to the country. but now a spoiler alert.

if you've happened to have flicked through the pages of labour's manifesto, much of what follows won't be a surprise. new rules on spending and borrowing will be enshrined in law, but fundamentally, most of the measures were aimed at promoting economic growth. so... my ministers will get britain building, including through planning reform, as they seek to accelerate the delivery of high—quality infrastructure and housing. there was a commitment to new green projects, including this. a bill will be introduced to set up great british energy, a publicly—owned clean power company headquartered in scotland. which will help accelerate investment in renewable energy such as offshore wind. labour won some conservative—held seats at the election that had eluded even tony blair, but there were measures here to please traditional supporters, too — renationalising railway companies, and within the next three months, there'll be new laws

on workers' rights. my government is committed to making work pay and will legislate to introduce a new deal for working people to ban exploitative practices and enhance employment rights. but there's also something to please the former conservative prime minister. keir starmer will complete some of rishi sunak�*s unfinished business, including new rights for renters, a law to ensure venues are prepared for terrorist attacks and the return of a bill that almost went up in smoke. a bill will be introduced to progressively increase the age at which people can buy cigarettes and impose limits on the sale and marketing of vapes. but some elements from labour's manifesto are missing, at least for the time being. these include lowering the voting age to 16 and, at the other end of the age range, kicking octogenarian peers out of the house of lords. there's also been some pressure from the snp and from the left of the labour party to lift the two—child limit on benefit payments,

but that pressure is being resisted. the king's speech is about implementing what we said we'd do. people shouldn't expect it to implement the things that we didn't say we'd do. opposition parties say they will hold the new government to account. we know our role as opposition is to scrutinise what _ the government is planning to do and support where i it is the right thing to do. we have to wait and see if it's going to be enough and we want to see more detail, but at the same time, we all want growth back in the economy, and if the government can deliver it, then that would be a good thing for all of us. there are 35 pieces of legislation and even more measures out to consultation. although the king has finished his speech, the real work of government is onlyjust beginning. ian watson, bbc news, westminster. let's get more political reaction on the programme. joining me now is chris philp, shadow leader of the house

of commons and former home office minister. welcome to the programme will so what did you make of the agenda laid out today? what did you make of the agenda laid out toda ? , ., ., out today? they were not a huge number of _ out today? they were not a huge number of surprises. _ out today? they were not a huge number of surprises. as - out today? they were not a huge number of surprises. as a - out today? they were not a huge number of surprises. as a new i number of surprises. as a new opposition, we will work constructively with the new government on where we agree on some of the issues from the last moment they will carry on with, like elements of the justice built will be legislated to give police more powers, martyn's law following the terrible bombing of the manchester arena and increasing the age where people can start smoking, something we supported previously. but there are areas where we are concerned. the extra regulation on the economy could reduce growth and we are concerned —— concerned about that. we are concerned about plans to rip up we are concerned about plans to rip up the green belt. we need to think we can build more houses without turning whole sways of the green belt and the housing and we are concerned about the lack of talk on illegal immigration because they have cancelled the ramada plan which would've provided a deterrent to illegal immigration across the english channel. fin

illegal immigration across the english channel.— illegal immigration across the enalish channel. ., ., , ,., english channel. on that last point, aaain and english channel. on that last point, again and again _ english channel. on that last point, again and again when _ english channel. on that last point, again and again when you _ english channel. on that last point, again and again when you were - english channel. on that last point, again and again when you were in i again and again when you were in government, you would attack labour for voting against what you said what help in tackling illegal immigration. so are you going to oppose their plans on exactly the same area? we oppose their plans on exactly the same area?— oppose their plans on exactly the same area? ~ ., _ , same area? we will obviously support lans that same area? we will obviously support plans that will — same area? we will obviously support plans that will actually _ same area? we will obviously support plans that will actually make - same area? we will obviously support plans that will actually make a - plans that will actually make a difference. labour did, as you say, vote against loss or crackdown on illegal migration, but one of the first things they did in government was scrap the rwanda scheme that we know was due to start in a week's time... ~ ~' ., know was due to start in a week's time... ~ ~ ., ., , ., �* time... we know that but what i'm askin: time... we know that but what i'm asking you — time... we know that but what i'm asking you is _ time... we know that but what i'm asking you is are _ time... we know that but what i'm asking you is are you _ time... we know that but what i'm asking you is are you not _ time... we know that but what i'm asking you is are you not going - time... we know that but what i'm asking you is are you not going to l asking you is are you not going to replicate that but also opposing with the government is putting forward with my left wait and see what they actually have to say. right now the plaintiffs going after the criminal gangs which is been going on already. the national crime agency has been going after the criminal gangs for quite some years now and made a large number of arrests... 50 now and made a large number of arrests---— now and made a large number of arrests... ,, , , ., arrests... so you can support that then? it that's — arrests... so you can support that then? it that's been _ arrests... so you can support that then? it that's been happening i arrests... so you can support that| then? it that's been happening for years, you can support that? that's been happening _ years, you can support that? that's been happening and _ years, you can support that? that's been happening and of _ years, you can support that? that's been happening and of course i years, you can support that? that's been happening and of course we i years, you can support that? “hat�*s been happening and of course we do support it. of the labour party have

now left a massive gap in the fight against illegal migration because the ramada skin that was due to start a week from now, the first flight do to be wednesday next week and month was now not going to happen and they don't have a credible plan to replace it. it's now up within us that what they are going to do instead. their claim they're going to go after the games is not going to fill a gap because that was being done already. you mentioned _ that was being done already. you mentioned in _ that was being done already. you mentioned in your first answer housing and planning restriction. your government tried to address exactly these areas come to make progress, to get through some of those blockages. are you saying you were going to oppose what the government is putting forward, which is not that dissimilar? the government is putting forward, which is not that dissimilar?— is not that dissimilar? the last government — is not that dissimilar? the last government delivered - is not that dissimilar? the last government delivered 2.5 i is not that dissimilar? the last i government delivered 2.5 million houses, delivered far more homes each year than the last liberal government did when it left in 2010. of course we need more homes, of course we do, but the need to be in the right places. so i would like to see brownfield sites prioritised, tall buildings in city centres like the middle of london, manchester,

birmingham, newcastle and someone, actually fine. maybe even towns outside the green belt but if the labour plan is to basically rip up the green belt and also remove power from local councils to make important decisions, those are not things and i expect we would support. there are other ways of delivering the additional housing that we certainly need. just delivering the additional housing that we certainly need.— delivering the additional housing that we certainly need. just a final thouuht that we certainly need. just a final thought because _ that we certainly need. just a final thought because i _ that we certainly need. just a final thought because i heard _ that we certainly need. just a final thought because i heard the i that we certainly need. just a final| thought because i heard the leader of the opposition say and i've heard other conservatives saying about holding the government to a cabot is not the reality that you have to try to work out what sort of party you are going forward? are you a party that embraces nigel farage or resist him? is that what you focus on before you turn fire on the government? i before you turn fire on the government?— before you turn fire on the government? ., , ., ., government? i was leaving will do both. we government? i was leaving will do both- we will _ government? i was leaving will do both. we will hold _ government? i was leaving will do both. we will hold the _ government? i was leaving will do | both. we will hold the government government? i was leaving will do i both. we will hold the government to account. if rachel reeves turns up in claims the government finances are in bad shape, we will call that out. the office for budget responsibility if the arbiter of that, not the chancellor. incredible

ou have that, not the chancellor. incredible you have a — that, not the chancellor. incredible you have a new— that, not the chancellor. incredible you have a new bill— that, not the chancellor. incredible you have a new bill that _ that, not the chancellor. incredible you have a new bill that has - that, not the chancellor. incredible you have a new bill that has to i that, not the chancellor. incredible you have a new bill that has to put| you have a new bill that has to put in the law that you actually have to have an office segment before a physical event like a budget given what liz truss did... that's an incredible thing to have to to put on the books. incredible thing to have to to put on the books-— incredible thing to have to to put on the books. there was already a requirement _ on the books. there was already a requirement to _ on the books. there was already a requirement to have _ on the books. there was already a requirement to have two - on the books. there was already a requirement to have two obr i on the books. there was already a i requirement to have two obr forecast a year but we will see in this couple of weeks if rachel reeves decides to have a budget without a obr. but to turn back to your original question, we also had to define our direction of the party i think we can win back the trust of voters we lost where issues like immigration being too high and taxes being too high are of concern. we can address those concerns and also went over those voters who want to see credible plan for managing the economy. i think we can do those things, but it's up to us as a party in the coming months and years to set out those plans in detail to the public. but this probably going to

be a four a five—year parliament so we have got some time to do that. one sentence if you would come into the party take time to find his new leader? , ., the party take time to find his new leader? , ,, , ., ., ,, leader? yes, i think we should take the time to — leader? yes, i think we should take the time to find _ leader? yes, i think we should take the time to find the _ leader? yes, i think we should take the time to find the right _ leader? yes, i think we should take the time to find the right choice, i the time to find the right choice, yes, i do. rip the time to find the right choice, es, i do. , , the time to find the right choice, es,ido. , , yes, i do. rip up your time in the programme _ yes, i do. rip up your time in the programme here, _ yes, i do. rip up your time in the programme here, the _ yes, i do. rip up your time in the programme here, the giver- yes, i do. rip up your time in the i programme here, the giver and was running us here on bbc news. let's reflect on what will be her department earlier with those speeches. both the prime minister and the opposition leader addressed the commons following the king's speech. rishi sunak paid tribute to sir keir starmer and his decisive election win, but the tory leader also had this to say on the government's economic inheritance. i understand well that the chancellor is keen to paint as bleak a picture as possible, but i would just gently point out that this is not exactly what the facts say. inflation at 2%, unemployment 4% and the fastest growing economy in the g7 so far this year. the party opposite has inherited

an economy that is already on an upward trajectory. the prime minister said his government was focused on public service and reviving britain's economy. the last parliament was the first in modern history to leave livingj standards in a worse place than they found them, i the consequence notjust of tory irresponsibility, i but of a more pervasive i inability to face the future, a ducking of the hard choices. eyes fixed always i on the horse—trading of westminster politics... i will in a moment. ..rather than the long—term national interest. _ mr speaker, we don'tjust turn the page on that today, - we close the door on it forever. a budget responsibility bill that |will protect the living standards| of working people from the chaos they endured under— the last government.

joining me now is wendy chamberlain, liberal democrat spokesperson for work and pensions and the party's chief whip. and also the co—leader of the green party adrian ramsey. thank you both for being here with me and what a day it's been. can i ask un terms of what you heard laid out, what did you both make of it?— you both make of it? well, it honestly was _ you both make of it? well, it honestly was a _ you both make of it? well, it honestly was a lot _ you both make of it? well, it honestly was a lot of - you both make of it? well, it honestly was a lot of what i you both make of it? well, it. honestly was a lot of what was you both make of it? well, it- honestly was a lot of what was in the labour manifesto and we need to do given the size of it, 40 bills in the kings speech, if the scrutinise that detail. there was one of the complaint about the campaign that we did not really get into the detail of some of the new government's policies. some looking forward to that as a liberal democrat to doing so. b. that as a liberal democrat to doing so. ~ ., ., ., so. a lot of it we heard in the campaign _ so. a lot of it we heard in the campaign and _ so. a lot of it we heard in the campaign and we _ so. a lot of it we heard in the campaign and we sort - so. a lot of it we heard in the campaign and we sort of i so. a lot of it we heard in the | campaign and we sort of knew so. a lot of it we heard in the i campaign and we sort of knew what labour were going to do, so broadly, which bits are you likely to support? are there any areas that you know already if you are not going to support? i you know already if you are not going to support?— going to support? i think need to look at it very — going to support? i think need to look at it very conservatively i going to support? i think need to look at it very conservatively but| look at it very conservatively but what i was say i was disappointed not to hear that was about health

and social care, which added davey put in the very heart of the liberal democrat campaigning manifesto. i want to hear more about that and i want to hear more about that and i want to hear more about social care and unpaid carriers. did not hear very much about that. the government is looking about a cross party and getting together in relation to social care and we have called for that and welcomed that. but in terms of what we will support enough support, we need to look at the detail and consider what amendments we will be tabling to next week's speech debate. i we will be tabling to next week's speech debate.— we will be tabling to next week's speech debate. i will come back to mms because _ speech debate. i will come back to mms because it _ speech debate. i will come back to mms because it is _ speech debate. i will come back to mms because it is important. in terms of what you heard and wanted to hear, what was your assessment? i welcomed the prime minister setting out reach _ welcomed the prime minister setting out reach setting the tone of the public _ out reach setting the tone of the public debate and restoring politics as public— public debate and restoring politics as public service of some pie and other members of the green party have been— other members of the green party have been clear that will be a conservative opposition and it became — conservative opposition and it became clear where we agree and i thought— became clear where we agree and i thought it — became clear where we agree and i thought it was good when we saw on buses— thought it was good when we saw on buses and _ thought it was good when we saw on buses and rail what you will scrutinise with them but overall i feel the — scrutinise with them but overall i feel the labour was not being bolder and ambitious enough in tackling the

bil and ambitious enough in tackling the big issues— and ambitious enough in tackling the big issues that came up in the election. _ big issues that came up in the election, certainly my constituency and around — election, certainly my constituency and around the country, whether that's— and around the country, whether that's on— and around the country, whether that's on restoring the nhs and social— that's on restoring the nhs and social care, which are really at breaking — social care, which are really at breaking point, or whether that's on action— breaking point, or whether that's on action to _ breaking point, or whether that's on action to defend our environment and think of— action to defend our environment and think of the _ action to defend our environment and think of the climate crisis. on those — think of the climate crisis. on those issues, if they are not really willing _ those issues, if they are not really willing to — those issues, if they are not really willing to put in the investment is needed _ willing to put in the investment is needed to— willing to put in the investment is needed to tackle those problems, there _ needed to tackle those problems, there be _ needed to tackle those problems, there be a — needed to tackle those problems, there be a limit to how far they can .et. there be a limit to how far they can get it— there be a limit to how far they can get it will— there be a limit to how far they can get. it will be scrutinising and being — get. it will be scrutinising and being constructive but pushing them to take _ being constructive but pushing them to take the bold steps of the really needed _ to take the bold steps of the really needed. , ., to take the bold steps of the really needed. ,., ., ,., to take the bold steps of the really needed. ., ., needed. the point about how the social care _ needed. the point about how the social care and _ needed. the point about how the social care and you _ needed. the point about how the social care and you are _ needed. the point about how the social care and you are making i social care and you are making that same point, but the point has been made that there are several different ways of getting there, there are laws in parliament but already we have seen wes straining talking about the change in the nhs and in social care, so they are different avenues to get to the end but in terms of planning and what we heard and energy, what is your view on the types of local opposition that labour might bump into the equipment they talk about bulldozing opposition, whether his planning

laws orfrom local opposition, whether his planning laws or from local communities, where are you on that? i laws or from local communities, where are you on that?- laws or from local communities, where are you on that? i think there is really big — where are you on that? i think there is really big certain _ where are you on that? i think there is really big certain communities i is really big certain communities run the — is really big certain communities run the country about whether labour's — run the country about whether labour's proposals will ignore local concerns _ labour's proposals will ignore local concerns and if you look at housing for example, what people say to me and my— for example, what people say to me and my constituency in east anglia and my constituency in east anglia and around — and my constituency in east anglia and around the country is that the types _ and around the country is that the types of— and around the country is that the types of homes that are being built are just _ types of homes that are being built are just not affordable for local people — are just not affordable for local people. people are being priced at a being able _ people. people are being priced at a being able to live in their local town— being able to live in their local town and _ being able to live in their local town and local village. we need to make _ town and local village. we need to make sure — town and local village. we need to make sure that labour's determination for housing... is no aood determination for housing... is no good people _ determination for housing... is no good people except _ determination for housing... is no good people except that - determination for housing... i3 1p good people except that as a basic backdrop but then still oppose the various ways of fixing in their local communities.— various ways of fixing in their local communities. ~ ., ., �* ., local communities. what i don't want is for labour's _ local communities. what i don't want is for labour's proposal— local communities. what i don't want is for labour's proposal to _ local communities. what i don't want is for labour's proposal to become i local communities. what i don't want is for labour's proposal to become a | is for labour's proposal to become a developers chart because there are making _ developers chart because there are making huge profits out of house—building. we need to be tougher— house—building. we need to be tougher on them to build more affordable housing, whether that's people _ affordable housing, whether that's people to buy or more council homes supporting _ people to buy or more council homes supporting councils to build council homes _ supporting councils to build council homes for— supporting councils to build council homes for people to rent. i did not hear enough about the right types of housing _ hear enough about the right types of housing that really will cycle our housing — housing that really will cycle our housing crisis.— housing crisis. you mentioned amendments _ housing crisis. you mentioned amendments to _ housing crisis. you mentioned amendments to this _ housing crisis. you mentioned amendments to this kings i

housing crisis. you mentioned i amendments to this kings speech housing crisis. you mentioned - amendments to this kings speech and were you talking about the two child benefit cap because you hurt the prime after that and probably in the chamber listening to that and interrupted two times in terms of people making the point and pushing labour on that so will you push them on that. it labour on that so will you push them on that. . , . labour on that so will you push them on that. ., , ., ., , ., on that. it was an her manifesto discrepant _ on that. it was an her manifesto discrepant two _ on that. it was an her manifesto discrepant two child _ on that. it was an her manifesto discrepant two child benefit - on that. it was an her manifesto discrepant two child benefit cap| on that. it was an her manifesto - discrepant two child benefit cap and the benefit cap more generally in our manifesto was fully costed. .. and the money for that is with 2.5 and 3 billion... 2.5 and the money for that is with 2.5 and 3 billion. . .— and 3 billion... 2.5 billion to do that that would _ and 3 billion... 2.5 billion to do that that would take _ and 3 billion... 2.5 billion to do that that would take half - and 3 billion... 2.5 billion to do that that would take half a - that that would take half a million children out of poverty and in scotland we do have cross party consensus around the scottish child payment that should be an additional support. it should not be something that's replacing what has been there before. so it's certainly something we will be looking at. l before. so it's certainly something we will be looking at.— we will be looking at. i know you were trying _ we will be looking at. i know you were trying to — we will be looking at. i know you were trying to get _ we will be looking at. i know you were trying to get in _ we will be looking at. i know you were trying to get in there. - we will be looking at. i know you i were trying to get in there. on the benefit cap — were trying to get in there. on the benefit cap to _ were trying to get in there. on the benefit cap to a — were trying to get in there. on the benefit cap to a huge _ were trying to get in there. on the l benefit cap to a huge concern about child poverty from every part of it i think_ child poverty from every part of it i think on— child poverty from every part of it i think on the cat, which is what he says— i think on the cat, which is what he says because it's used child poverty. _ says because it's used child poverty, the government is going to find that_ poverty, the government is going to find that there is number of opposition parties, the green party

come _ opposition parties, the green party come democrats, snp, that are really concerned _ come democrats, snp, that are really concerned about the issue and up pressing — concerned about the issue and up pressing them to reconsider whether that can _ pressing them to reconsider whether that cap should be lifted. clear the 're that cap should be lifted. clear they're trying _ that cap should be lifted. clear they're trying to _ that cap should be lifted. clear they're trying to hit _ that cap should be lifted. clear they're trying to hit us - that cap should be lifted. clear they're trying to hit us up - that cap should be lifted. clear they're trying to hit us up by i they're trying to hit us up by saying they're going to look at it with the fiscal situation is improving which is what the government were to take credit for, they then cannot say they cannot afford to do things because the some don't add up. afford to do things because the some don�*t add up. you afford to do things because the some don't add lip-— don't add up. you have the response from the premise resetting - don't add up. you have the responsel from the premise resetting everyone in the house is concerned about poverty and talking about the different ways of actually improving it without doing that key thing, but i'm sure that is going to be an issue the really returning to in the coming days. well, let's bring in our social affairs correspondent because you have been going through a lot of what we heard particularly looking at how —— housing. what did you pick out. we know about the push to build houses, but what else in terms of the detail is in there in this speech? i terms of the detail is in there in this speech?— terms of the detail is in there in this speech?— terms of the detail is in there in this seech? ~' ., ,, ., this speech? i think one issue that is clearly important _ this speech? i think one issue that is clearly important to _ this speech? i think one issue that is clearly important to a _ this speech? i think one issue that is clearly important to a lot - this speech? i think one issue that is clearly important to a lot of - is clearly important to a lot of people — is clearly important to a lot of pepple is— is clearly important to a lot of pepple is how— is clearly important to a lot of people is how the _ is clearly important to a lot of| people is how the government is clearly important to a lot of - people is how the government intends to help _ people is how the government intends to help renters — people is how the government intends to help renters with _ people is how the government intends to help renters with that _ people is how the government intends to help renters with that we _ people is how the government intends to help renters with that we know- to help renters with that we know that in _

to help renters with that we know that in the — to help renters with that we know that in the previous _ to help renters with that we know that in the previous conservative i that in the previous conservative administration, _ that in the previous conservative administration, we _ that in the previous conservative administration, we had - that in the previous conservative administration, we had an- that in the previous conservative i administration, we had an ambition to end _ administration, we had an ambition to end what's — administration, we had an ambition to end what's called _ administration, we had an ambition to end what's called no—fault - to end what's called no—fault evictions— to end what's called no—fault evictions when— to end what's called no—fault evictions when the _ to end what's called no—fault evictions when the landlord i to end what's called no—fault i evictions when the landlord just turns— evictions when the landlord just turns around _ evictions when the landlord just turns around to _ evictions when the landlord just turns around to the _ evictions when the landlord just turns around to the tenant - evictions when the landlord just turns around to the tenant and| evictions when the landlord just - turns around to the tenant and says i want _ turns around to the tenant and says i want my— turns around to the tenant and says i want my house _ turns around to the tenant and says i want my house back. _ turns around to the tenant and says i want my house back. you're - turns around to the tenant and says i want my house back. you're goingj i want my house back. you're going to have _ i want my house back. you're going to have to _ i want my house back. you're going to have to leave. _ i want my house back. you're going to have to leave. that _ i want my house back. you're going to have to leave. that was - to have to leave. that was legislation _ to have to leave. that was legislation the _ to have to leave. that was . legislation the conservatives to have to leave. that was - legislation the conservatives hope to pass _ legislation the conservatives hope to pass and — legislation the conservatives hope to pass and they— legislation the conservatives hope to pass and they almost _ legislation the conservatives hope to pass and they almost did - legislation the conservatives hope to pass and they almost did but i legislation the conservatives hope i to pass and they almost did but then the election— to pass and they almost did but then the election was _ to pass and they almost did but then the election was called _ to pass and they almost did but then the election was called in _ the election was called in labour have _ the election was called in labour have picked _ the election was called in labour have picked up— the election was called in labour have picked up that _ the election was called in labour have picked up that bill- the election was called in labour have picked up that bill and - the election was called in labour have picked up that bill and so . have picked up that bill and so there — have picked up that bill and so there will— have picked up that bill and so there will be _ have picked up that bill and so there will be this _ have picked up that bill and so there will be this ban - have picked up that bill and so there will be this ban on - there will be this ban on no—fault evictions — there will be this ban on no—fault evictions. they— there will be this ban on no—fault evictions. they are _ there will be this ban on no—fault evictions. they are also - there will be this ban on no—fault evictions. they are also going - there will be this ban on no—fault evictions. they are also going to| evictions. they are also going to .ive evictions. they are also going to give tenants _ evictions. they are also going to give tenants the _ evictions. they are also going to give tenants the right _ evictions. they are also going to give tenants the right to - evictions. they are also going to give tenants the right to ask- evictions. they are also going to give tenants the right to ask the| give tenants the right to ask the landlords— give tenants the right to ask the landlords if— give tenants the right to ask the landlords if they _ give tenants the right to ask the landlords if they can _ give tenants the right to ask the landlords if they can hold - give tenants the right to ask the landlords if they can hold or- give tenants the right to ask the. landlords if they can hold or keep up in _ landlords if they can hold or keep up in the — landlords if they can hold or keep up in the property— landlords if they can hold or keep up in the property as _ landlords if they can hold or keep up in the property as well, - landlords if they can hold or keep up in the property as well, and i landlords if they can hold or keep . up in the property as well, and they are also— up in the property as well, and they are also going — up in the property as well, and they are also going to— up in the property as well, and they are also going to put— up in the property as well, and they are also going to put conditions in. are also going to put conditions in something — are also going to put conditions in something called _ are also going to put conditions in something called a _ are also going to put conditions in something called a law— are also going to put conditions in something called a law to - are also going to put conditions in something called a law to ensure i something called a law to ensure that the — something called a law to ensure that the quality— something called a law to ensure that the quality and _ something called a law to ensure that the quality and standard - something called a law to ensure that the quality and standard of. that the quality and standard of social— that the quality and standard of social housing _ that the quality and standard of social housing properties, - that the quality and standard of social housing properties, for. social housing properties, for instance. _ social housing properties, for instance. or— social housing properties, for instance, or at _ social housing properties, for instance, or at a _ social housing properties, for instance, or at a level- social housing properties, for instance, or at a level that i social housing properties, for| instance, or at a level that are basically— instance, or at a level that are basically habitable _ instance, or at a level that are basically habitable because i instance, or at a level that are i basically habitable because there are a _ basically habitable because there are a lot — basically habitable because there are a lot of— basically habitable because there are a lot of concerns _ basically habitable because there are a lot of concerns in— basically habitable because there are a lot of concerns in recent. are a lot of concerns in recent years — are a lot of concerns in recent years over _ are a lot of concerns in recent years over the _ are a lot of concerns in recent years over the fact _ are a lot of concerns in recent years over the fact that - are a lot of concerns in recent years over the fact that a - are a lot of concerns in recent years over the fact that a lot i are a lot of concerns in recentl years over the fact that a lot of social housing _ years over the fact that a lot of social housing providers - years over the fact that a lot of social housing providers as - years over the fact that a lot of| social housing providers as well years over the fact that a lot of. social housing providers as well as private _ social housing providers as well as private tendencies _ social housing providers as well as private tendencies have _ social housing providers as well as private tendencies have been - social housing providers as well as l private tendencies have been letting properties— private tendencies have been letting properties out — private tendencies have been letting properties out that _ private tendencies have been letting properties out that are _ private tendencies have been letting properties out that are simply- private tendencies have been letting properties out that are simply not i properties out that are simply not in a condition— properties out that are simply not in a condition for— properties out that are simply not in a condition for humans - properties out that are simply not in a condition for humans to - properties out that are simply not in a condition for humans to live i in a condition for humans to live in. in a condition for humans to live in and — in a condition for humans to live in and that— in a condition for humans to live in and that is— in a condition for humans to live in. and that is going _ in a condition for humans to live in. and that is going to- in a condition for humans to live in. and that is going to be - in a condition for humans to live in. and that is going to be a - in a condition for humans to livel in. and that is going to be a push according — in. and that is going to be a push according to _ in. and that is going to be a push according to the _ in. and that is going to be a push according to the details - in. and that is going to be a push according to the details of - in. and that is going to be a push according to the details of we -

in. and that is going to be a pushl according to the details of we saw in the _ according to the details of we saw in the king's— according to the details of we saw in the king's speech _ according to the details of we saw in the king's speech as _ according to the details of we saw in the king's speech as well- according to the details of we saw in the king's speech as well and l according to the details of we saw| in the king's speech as well and in terms _ in the king's speech as well and in terms of— in the king's speech as well and in terms of the — in the king's speech as well and in terms of the landlord, _ in the king's speech as well and in terms of the landlord, then- in the king's speech as well and in terms of the landlord, then comel terms of the landlord, then come back and — terms of the landlord, then come back and said _ terms of the landlord, then come back and said we _ terms of the landlord, then come back and said we broadly - terms of the landlord, then come back and said we broadly agree . terms of the landlord, then come i back and said we broadly agree with what's _ back and said we broadly agree with what's going — back and said we broadly agree with what's going on— back and said we broadly agree with what's going on there _ back and said we broadly agree with what's going on there but _ back and said we broadly agree with what's going on there but there - back and said we broadly agree with what's going on there but there has| what's going on there but there has to be _ what's going on there but there has to be some — what's going on there but there has to be some sort _ what's going on there but there has to be some sort of— what's going on there but there has to be some sort of mechanism - what's going on there but there has to be some sort of mechanism to l to be some sort of mechanism to allow— to be some sort of mechanism to allow the — to be some sort of mechanism to allow the landlords _ to be some sort of mechanism to allow the landlords to _ to be some sort of mechanism to allow the landlords to get their. allow the landlords to get their properties— allow the landlords to get their properties back— allow the landlords to get their properties back and _ allow the landlords to get their properties back and the - allow the landlords to get their properties back and the key . allow the landlords to get their. properties back and the key thing for them, — properties back and the key thing for them, which _ properties back and the key thing for them, which i _ properties back and the key thing for them, which i think— properties back and the key thing for them, which i think is- properties back and the key thing for them, which i think is ignoredj for them, which i think is ignored for them, which i think is ignored for the _ for them, which i think is ignored for the government— for them, which i think is ignored for the government as _ for them, which i think is ignored for the government as well, - for them, which i think is ignored for the government as well, is i for them, which i think is ignored for the government as well, is it| for the government as well, is it has to— for the government as well, is it has to be — for the government as well, is it has to be the _ for the government as well, is it has to be the code _ for the government as well, is it has to be the code system - has to be the code system working much _ has to be the code system working much more — has to be the code system working much more quickly— has to be the code system working much more quickly so _ has to be the code system working much more quickly so that - has to be the code system working much more quickly so that when i has to be the code system working much more quickly so that when a| much more quickly so that when a landlord _ much more quickly so that when a landlord has — much more quickly so that when a landlord has a _ much more quickly so that when a landlord has a reasonable - much more quickly so that when a| landlord has a reasonable grounds for wanting — landlord has a reasonable grounds for wanting their— landlord has a reasonable grounds for wanting their property- landlord has a reasonable grounds for wanting their property back, i for wanting their property back, they don't— for wanting their property back, they don't have _ for wanting their property back, they don't have to _ for wanting their property back, they don't have to wait - for wanting their property back, they don't have to wait months| for wanting their property back, . they don't have to wait months and months _ they don't have to wait months and months and — they don't have to wait months and months and months _ they don't have to wait months and months and months in _ they don't have to wait months and months and months in order- they don't have to wait months and months and months in order to - they don't have to wait months and months and months in order to do| months and months in order to do that _ months and months in order to do that but — months and months in order to do that but the _ months and months in order to do that. but the code _ months and months in order to do that. but the code system - months and months in order to do that. but the code system works i months and months in order to do| that. but the code system works to allow _ that. but the code system works to allow them — that. but the code system works to allow them to — that. but the code system works to allow them to reclaim _ that. but the code system works to allow them to reclaim the - that. but the code system works to| allow them to reclaim the property. more _ allow them to reclaim the property. more broadly— allow them to reclaim the property. more broadly when _ allow them to reclaim the property. more broadly when it _ allow them to reclaim the property. more broadly when it comes - allow them to reclaim the property. more broadly when it comes to - more broadly when it comes to building houses commitment of the figure of 1.5 million over the parliament, but that line was used by the government and it is how they are going to be built and not if and they're talking about redefining greenville areas. are there likely to be legal challenges to all of that? j to be legal challenges to all of that? “ to be legal challenges to all of that? ~ . ., , ~ ., ., that? i think i certainly. a lot of communities, _ that? i think i certainly. a lot of communities, you _

that? i think i certainly. a lot of communities, you think, - that? i think i certainly. a lot of communities, you think, are... | communities, you think, are... housing — communities, you think, are... housing and _ communities, you think, are... housing and building _ communities, you think, are... housing and building is- communities, you think, are... housing and building is one - communities, you think, are... housing and building is one of| communities, you think, are... - housing and building is one of these things— housing and building is one of these things were — housing and building is one of these things were everybody _ housing and building is one of these things were everybody seems - housing and building is one of these things were everybody seems to - things were everybody seems to support— things were everybody seems to support it — things were everybody seems to support it in _ things were everybody seems to support it in theory _ things were everybody seems to support it in theory but - things were everybody seems to support it in theory but then - things were everybody seems to i support it in theory but then when it comes _ support it in theory but then when it comes down _ support it in theory but then when it comes down to _ support it in theory but then when it comes down to building - support it in theory but then when it comes down to building it- support it in theory but then when it comes down to building it next. it comes down to building it next door— it comes down to building it next door close — it comes down to building it next door close by— it comes down to building it next door close by to _ it comes down to building it next door close by to where _ it comes down to building it next door close by to where you - it comes down to building it next door close by to where you live, i door close by to where you live, there is — door close by to where you live, there is often— door close by to where you live, there is often a _ door close by to where you live, there is often a lot _ door close by to where you live, there is often a lot of— door close by to where you live, | there is often a lot of opposition to it _ there is often a lot of opposition to it in — there is often a lot of opposition to it in one _ there is often a lot of opposition to it in one of— there is often a lot of opposition to it. in one of the _ there is often a lot of opposition to it. in one of the key- there is often a lot of opposition to it. in one of the key reasons. there is often a lot of opposition . to it. in one of the key reasons for that is— to it. in one of the key reasons for that is because _ to it. in one of the key reasons for that is because the _ to it. in one of the key reasons for that is because the infrastructure. that is because the infrastructure around _ that is because the infrastructure around it— that is because the infrastructure around it simply— that is because the infrastructure around it simply is— that is because the infrastructure around it simply is not— that is because the infrastructure around it simply is not built. - that is because the infrastructure around it simply is not built. 50. around it simply is not built. so one of— around it simply is not built. so one of the _ around it simply is not built. so one of the principal— around it simply is not built. so one of the principal objections i around it simply is not built. so. one of the principal objections that i've heard — one of the principal objections that i've heard over— one of the principal objections that i've heard over the _ one of the principal objections that i've heard over the years _ one of the principal objections that i've heard over the years to - one of the principal objections that i've heard over the years to more i i've heard over the years to more houses _ i've heard over the years to more houses being _ i've heard over the years to more houses being built _ i've heard over the years to more houses being built is _ i've heard over the years to more houses being built is the - i've heard over the years to more houses being built is the schools| houses being built is the schools are not— houses being built is the schools are not being _ houses being built is the schools are not being built, _ houses being built is the schools are not being built, the- houses being built is the schools are not being built, the roads i houses being built is the schools| are not being built, the roads are not being — are not being built, the roads are not being built, _ are not being built, the roads are not being built, the _ are not being built, the roads are not being built, the medical- not being built, the medical facilities, _ not being built, the medical facilities, the _ not being built, the medical facilities, the gp— not being built, the medical facilities, the gp surgeries. not being built, the medical. facilities, the gp surgeries are not being built, the medical- facilities, the gp surgeries are not being _ facilities, the gp surgeries are not being built — facilities, the gp surgeries are not being built and _ facilities, the gp surgeries are not being built and i— facilities, the gp surgeries are not being built and i was _ facilities, the gp surgeries are not being built and i was reasonably. being built and i was reasonably spending — being built and i was reasonably spending some _ being built and i was reasonably spending some time _ being built and i was reasonably spending some time in- being built and i was reasonably spending some time in the - spending some time in the west midlands — spending some time in the west midlands and _ spending some time in the west midlands and there _ spending some time in the west midlands and there is _ spending some time in the west midlands and there is an - spending some time in the west i midlands and there is an enormous amount— midlands and there is an enormous amount of— midlands and there is an enormous amount of house—building - midlands and there is an enormous amount of house—building going. midlands and there is an enormous amount of house—building going on midlands and there is an enormous . amount of house—building going on in telford. _ amount of house—building going on in telford. but _ amount of house—building going on in telford, but repeatedly— amount of house—building going on in telford, but repeatedly for— amount of house—building going on in telford, but repeatedly for the - telford, but repeatedly for the local— telford, but repeatedly for the local population _ telford, but repeatedly for the local population they- telford, but repeatedly for the local population they were - telford, but repeatedly for the| local population they were tank telford, but repeatedly for the - local population they were tank that we can— local population they were tank that we can live — local population they were tank that we can live with _ local population they were tank that we can live with a _ local population they were tank that we can live with a houses book - local population they were tank that we can live with a houses book can. we can live with a houses book can we can live with a houses book can we live _ we can live with a houses book can we live with — we can live with a houses book can we live with the _ we can live with a houses book can we live with the impact _ we can live with a houses book can we live with the impact of - we can live with a houses book can we live with the impact of the - we live with the impact of the houses — we live with the impact of the houses in _ we live with the impact of the houses in terms _ we live with the impact of the houses in terms of _ we live with the impact of the houses in terms of public - we live with the impact of the - houses in terms of public services and the _ houses in terms of public services and the infrastructure? _ houses in terms of public services and the infrastructure? |- houses in terms of public services and the infrastructure? i think- and the infrastructure? i think one of the _ and the infrastructure? i think one of the key— and the infrastructure? i think one of the key things— and the infrastructure? i think one of the key things in _ and the infrastructure? i think one of the key things in order- and the infrastructure? i think one of the key things in order for- and the infrastructure? i think one of the key things in order for the i of the key things in order for the government— of the key things in order for the government to _ of the key things in order for the government to get _ of the key things in order for the government to get broad - of the key things in order for the . government to get broad consensus for the _ government to get broad consensus for the amount _ government to get broad consensus for the amount of— government to get broad consensus for the amount of house—building i for the amount of house—building they are — for the amount of house—building they are going _ for the amount of house—building they are going to _ for the amount of house—building they are going to have _ for the amount of house—building they are going to have to - for the amount of house—building they are going to have to do - for the amount of house—building they are going to have to do is i for the amount of house—building they are going to have to do is to| they are going to have to do is to engage _ they are going to have to do is to engage with _ they are going to have to do is to engage with local— they are going to have to do is to| engage with local communities in which _ engage with local communities in which they— engage with local communities in which they are _ engage with local communities in which they are going _ engage with local communities in which they are going to _ engage with local communities in which they are going to build - engage with local communities in which they are going to build a i engage with local communities in| which they are going to build a lot of these _ which they are going to build a lot of these properties _ which they are going to build a lot

of these properties and _ which they are going to build a lot. of these properties and approved of them _ of these properties and approved of them that— of these properties and approved of them that they _ of these properties and approved of them that they will _ of these properties and approved of them that they will build _ of these properties and approved of them that they will build the - them that they will build the infrastructure _ them that they will build the infrastructure around - them that they will build the infrastructure around it - them that they will build the infrastructure around it and i them that they will build the - infrastructure around it and there is not _ infrastructure around it and there is notjust— infrastructure around it and there is notiust going _ infrastructure around it and there is notjust going to— infrastructure around it and there is notjust going to be _ infrastructure around it and there is notjust going to be hundreds i infrastructure around it and therel is notjust going to be hundreds or thousands— is notjust going to be hundreds or thousands of— is notjust going to be hundreds or thousands of homes _ is notjust going to be hundreds or thousands of homes clocked - is notjust going to be hundreds or thousands of homes clocked on i is notjust going to be hundreds or thousands of homes clocked on a i thousands of homes clocked on a field on _ thousands of homes clocked on a field on the — thousands of homes clocked on a field on the edge _ thousands of homes clocked on a field on the edge of— thousands of homes clocked on a field on the edge of a _ thousands of homes clocked on a field on the edge of a tent - thousands of homes clocked on a field on the edge of a tent with l thousands of homes clocked on a i field on the edge of a tent with no facilities _ field on the edge of a tent with no facilities around _ field on the edge of a tent with no facilities around it. _ field on the edge of a tent with no facilities around it. it’s _ field on the edge of a tent with no facilities around it.— facilities around it. it's going to be one of— facilities around it. it's going to be one of those _ facilities around it. it's going to be one of those really - facilities around it. it's going to be one of those really critical. be one of those really critical areas in the months and years going forward, michael, thank you very much. let's get more political reaction here. i'm joined by stephen flynn, the west with the leader of the snp bus to the programme and i've asked all the different political parties of what did you make of what was laid out? the prime minister in support _ make of what was laid out? the prime minister in support of— make of what was laid out? the prime minister in support of the _ make of what was laid out? the prime minister in support of the shield - minister in support of the shield scale of his punishment majority for the opportunity to do what he promised the people, which is to deliver real change. and i'm afraid that when it comes to child poverty, he is been found wanting as of the two child benefit cap was not even mentioned in the metro today and now in a set of contacts, 27,000 households are impacted by this former tory policy, ili,000 lifted out of poverty immediately or it to be scrapped. the labour government have chosen not to scrap it, and as

a result of that, those children will stay in property. this is no longer a tory policy, is a labour policy... longer a tory policy, is a labour oli ., , ., policy... you interrupted and i was watchinu policy... you interrupted and i was watching when _ policy... you interrupted and i was watching when the _ policy... you interrupted and i was watching when the promised - policy... you interrupted and i was watching when the promised or - policy... you interrupted and i was i watching when the promised or made a speech and you made that point in his response to you was every member of parliament recognises the issue about child poverty, but they are .22 things, the set of public finances but also trying to do other things in other areas to help. is that not an honest answer given where we are? riff that not an honest answer given where we are?— where we are? of course every single child poverty — where we are? of course every single child poverty charity _ where we are? of course every single child poverty charity right _ where we are? of course every single child poverty charity right across - child poverty charity right across these isles would tell you that if that gap was removed, then you would immediately lift children out of poverty so that should be the immediate objective, to scrap that capital so that when it comes to the economic... that capital so that when it comes to the economic- - -— economic... at the cost of 3 billion? _ economic... at the cost of 3 billion? in _ economic... at the cost of 3 billion? in d. _ economic... at the cost of 3 billion? in d. and _ economic... at the cost of 3 billion? in d. and when - economic... at the cost of 3 - billion? in d. and when it comes to the economic— billion? in d. and when it comes to the economic situation, _ billion? in d. and when it comes to the economic situation, there - billion? in d. and when it comes to the economic situation, there are i the economic situation, there are levers that when and for the premise of the change finances and the treasury. we can do is legalise capital gains tax, naked tax back payments to raise tens of millions of pounds and this is a drop in the

ocean. he is looking a political choice not to elicit the change that is what what required to eradicate child poverty and that is what i am so fresh ready. hopefully he will have a lot on this next week and will be for other members of parliament to outline what they agreed that children should not remain in poverty or good. in other areas would _ remain in poverty or good. in other areas would you _ remain in poverty or good. in other areas would you make _ remain in poverty or good. in other areas would you make of _ remain in poverty or good. in other areas would you make of what - remain in poverty or good. in other areas would you make of what you | areas would you make of what you heard? ., ,., areas would you make of what you heard? ., ., ,, . , ., ., heard? there are some aspects roman to see a bit more _ heard? there are some aspects roman to see a bit more detail. _ heard? there are some aspects roman to see a bit more detail. gb _ heard? there are some aspects roman to see a bit more detail. gb energy - to see a bit more detail. gb energy is incredibly important and always what to put in a blog that he will be in aberdeen at... i what to put in a blog that he will be in aberdeen at. . .— what to put in a blog that he will be in aberdeen at... i knew her you are auoin be in aberdeen at... i knew her you are going to — be in aberdeen at... i knew her you are going to do _ be in aberdeen at... i knew her you are going to do that. _ be in aberdeen at. .. i knew her you are going to do that. i _ be in aberdeen at... i knew her you are going to do that. i was - be in aberdeen at... i knew her you are going to do that. i was going i be in aberdeen at... i knew her you are going to do that. i was going to| are going to do that. i was going to ask you where the headquarters should be but they have not said not where in scotland?— where in scotland? everyone in scotland knows _ where in scotland? everyone in scotland knows the _ where in scotland? everyone in scotland knows the aberdeen i where in scotland? everyone in i scotland knows the aberdeen who where in scotland? everyone in - scotland knows the aberdeen who they mean but others might argue but in my mind aberdeen, but the money this is behind it is a good one to £i.6 is behind it is a good one to £1.6 billion per year. that will be a drop in the ocean compared to one individual project lead to understanding that they have that's going to deliver the development that we need to seek an order to meet net zero and combat climate change would also boost economic growth in the finances don't appear to be there. the government is now

excepting that it will not sell energy is to so there is one of the theft to be provided and i'll be working like colours to make sure that we can get that the different government. idol that we can get that the different government-— that we can get that the different government. that we can get that the different rovernment. ., ., , ., , government. not many colleagues left and that's a problem _ government. not many colleagues left and that's a problem for— government. not many colleagues left and that's a problem for you. - government. not many colleagues left and that's a problem for you. it's - government. not many colleagues left and that's a problem for you. it's a - and that's a problem for you. it's a problem for all of the opposition parties knowing quite how to deal with a government and a majority that it has got. how do you think it is likely playing out and certainly from the snp point of view? much fewer than — from the snp point of view? much fewer than i _ from the snp point of view? much fewer than i would've _ from the snp point of view? much fewer than i would've hoped - from the snp point of view? mic? fewer than i would've hoped for from the snp point of view? ij�*im�*i fewer than i would've hoped for its fair to say but what that does is it a force is a challenge to try and if we can get labour back mentors who would do this but also to work with the other smaller parties to try and ensure that we are able to have parliamentary votes which push this now a labour government into position where it's... fair now a labour government into position where it's. . .— now a labour government into position where it's. .. fair to say ou position where it's. .. fair to say you barely _ position where it's. .. fair to say you barely have _ position where it's. .. fair to say you barely have a _ position where it's. .. fair to say you barely have a voice - position where it's. .. fair to say you barely have a voice now? i l position where it's. .. fair to say - you barely have a voice now? i don't think so it all _ you barely have a voice now? i don't think so it all as _ you barely have a voice now? i don't think so it all as a _ you barely have a voice now? i don't think so it all as a just _ you barely have a voice now? i don't think so it all as a just after - think so it all as a just after promised her a question about child poverty and of course i would like to think the premise trips will always listen. certainly from the tony adopted up until now, he would do that and i expect him to do that given the fact that i noted a considerable period of time and anything for us of making sure that

the scottish voice in our values and hurt in the westminster chamber. he will do that on issues like child poverty in issues like net zero and being a strong shipping in relation to migration and in contrast to the other main messenger parties we work with anyone to do that. by, other main messenger parties we work with anyone to do that.— with anyone to do that. a quick final thought _ with anyone to do that. a quick final thought because - with anyone to do that. a quick final thought because there - with anyone to do that. a quick| final thought because there was with anyone to do that. a quick. final thought because there was a line about closer links or trying to work things better with the eu and i know what you are saying during the election campaign. you want to go much further but did you look that? i need to see the detail again on that and i say it my speech and i gave in front of the prime minister but we think it's very obvious if you want to cover the economy you go back into the civil market and... and he has ruled that out which is absurd. we need is a detail the party want to do and it's good to have words but we need details and we will be there to scrutinise in every step of the way.- every step of the way. good to talk to ou, every step of the way. good to talk to you. things _ every step of the way. good to talk to you, things are _ every step of the way. good to talk to you, things are coming - every step of the way. good to talk to you, things are coming in - every step of the way. good to talk to you, things are coming in to - to you, things are coming in to talk to you, things are coming in to talk to me here on the green. we are going to pause from all that and back and more in or two ballistic on the weather details with ben. hello.

we haven't seen much of thisjuly, some warmth and heat developing for some of us but with an increasingly humid feel. it is not entirely plain sailing, the satellite picture from earlier shows this type of cloud from the west. we have frontal systems trying to approach from the atlantic but it is ahead of the frontal systems where we will be drawing this warm air up from the south. for the rest of day, england and wales seen sunny spells, large amounts of cloud, chance of some showers. scotland will see more cloud. temperatures, 16 to 2a degrees, pretty much exactly where we would expect to be. to this evening and tonight, northern ireland and scotland will see more cloud, splashes of rain. england and wales will keep hold of some limited, clear spells are particularly that south and east. it will be a mild night, temperatures of ii to iii degrees. we head into tomorrow and we will see cloud and outbreaks of rain for northern ireland and scotland, although the rain

turning increasingly light and patchy. it will be a bit murky in places. england and wales seeing spells of sunshine and a warmer day, temperatures up to 26 or 27 degrees. parts of north—east scotland will get into the low 20s. as we head towards the end of the week we see this area of low pressure and frontal system again trying to squeeze in from the atlantic, but the head of that a push of warmth from the south. i think friday is going to be the warmest day for many. i think it will feel hot across southern and eastern parts of the uk where we see spells of sunshine. always a bit more cloud in the mix for northern ireland and scotland and it will be quite murky for some western coast. given some sunshine, some warm and humid conditions, temperatures for most between 20 and 29, maybe 30 degrees in the south—east corner. however, it may not last long because on saturday we see this weather front putting eastwards, heavy and thundery rain and that will sweep the very warm and humid air away eastwards.

by the end of the weekend, things will be a good deal cooler and it is looking quite unsettled as we head into next week. goodbye for now.

welcome back to westminster, it has been a really busy day here coming to the tail end of it. but a date

that we saw the state opening of parliament, all the pomp and politics that we have seen in the hours that followed. in a ceremony hundreds of years old, the king addressed members of both houses, outlining the government's legislative priorities. and after some polite speeches in the commons, the work began. during the last few hours we have been reflecting on the different areas we heard in the king speech. several hard—fought campaigns have been recognised by this new government. martyn's law — named after manchester bombing victim martyn hett — would require venues to have stronger anti—terror plans. and a hillsborough law would introduce a legal duty of candour for public servants, honouring a decades—long campaign from the families of those who died in the disaster. lauren moss has the details. without the support we would not have got this, honestly. figen murray has campaigned tirelessly for a new law to protect

the public after the death of her son martyn and others in the manchester arena bombing in 2017. it was the deadliest terror attack on uk soil in the last decade. it was originally proposed under the conservative government but did not come to pass before the election. now, labour's committed to bringing in a new bill that will force public premises and events across the uk to put in specific protections to reduce the risk of an attack. measures will be introduced to improve the safety and security of public venues and help to keep the british public safe from terrorism. absolutely delighted it is in. totally thrilled about it. however, having said that, we have been here before with the last king's speech. it feels different this time because i have met keir starmer. it feels like the beginning of the end of the campaign and hopefully i am right. another new law will be named in memory of those who died in the hillsborough disaster.

what is called a duty of candour for public servants, the tragedy in 1989 led to decades of fighting for justice for the families of the 97 liverpool fans who were unlawfully killed. charlotte hennessy was six years old when her fatherjimmy went to a football match and never came home. it was not acknowledged he was unlawfully killed and he was survivable until i was 34. i have been very anxious leading up to this point in case we were let down again. the law will force authorities to be open and accountable when failures have been made and provide legal aid to families. we could only ever moved forward and learn things from hillsborough if we make sure that laws and wrongs were corrected. both martyn's law and the hillsborough law are legacies born out of loss. the loved ones of those who died have faced long journeys of heartache and grief. turning that into some hope

for the future that others will not suffer as they did. exact details about what the bills will contain and their passage through parliament will become clearer in the coming weeks and months. adam fleming the host of newscast is here with me... we have been going through all the different areas announced. you have been looking at some of the things that are not there. i do been looking at some of the things that are not there.— been looking at some of the things that are not there. i do not want to sound too nerdy, _ that are not there. i do not want to sound too nerdy, but _ that are not there. i do not want to sound too nerdy, but i _ that are not there. i do not want to sound too nerdy, but i think - that are not there. i do not want to sound too nerdy, but i think this i sound too nerdy, but i think this idea of more devolution and making devolution more automatic for regions that do not have it already has got the power to be quite transformative. local politicians tra nsformative. local politicians have transformative. local politicians have been calling out for more powers over transport, skills and planning for a long time. it looks like the prime minister wants to give it to them and i do wonder if as a country we are not very good at doing big things, maybe we would have more success at doing small

things more quickly. another thing that caught my eye, tucked away, plans for a digital id that you would have to sign up for. a few weeks ago tony blair said maybe we should have id cards, keir starmer it rejected it straightaway but it looks like the government will pursue it online.— pursue it online. that is not something _ pursue it online. that is not something i— pursue it online. that is not something i saw, _ pursue it online. that is not something i saw, tell- pursue it online. that is not something i saw, tell me i pursue it online. that is not i something i saw, tell me more details. , , something i saw, tell me more details. , details. this is something governments _ details. this is something governments have - details. this is something governments have tried i details. this is something| governments have tried to details. this is something i governments have tried to do details. this is something _ governments have tried to do before, create a market online where you will be able to get a digital identity card that makes it easier to sign into services, to prove your identity for when you're getting a job or renting a property. basically, a digitalform of an old school id card, always a very controversial thing in british politics, way back to when tony blair was prime minister he revived the idea couple of weeks ago. the government has rejected the idea of a plastic card in your wallet, but it looks like they are prepared to experiment with something online. i have reported in estonia quite a few times and there it is revolutionary for how people engage with services

and businesses if you've got a digital id. if it happens, we will see. ., . ~ digital id. if it happens, we will see, ., ., " ., digital id. if it happens, we will see. ., ., ~ ., , ., see. you talk about being a nerd, but ou see. you talk about being a nerd, but you will— see. you talk about being a nerd, but you will have _ see. you talk about being a nerd, but you will have gone _ see. you talk about being a nerd, but you will have gone through i see. you talk about being a nerd, | but you will have gone through all of the manifestos. —— people were waiting to see i6—year—olds being able to vote, perhaps an age limit for her peers in the house of lords. does that mean it has gone away or just on pause? i does that mean it has gone away or just on pause?— just on pause? i suspect they want to do something _ just on pause? i suspect they want to do something constitutionally, i just on pause? i suspect they want| to do something constitutionally, it is a constitutional day. the thing we have ended up with is eliminating the heredity peers from the house of lords. that is kind of the easy thing to do for lords reform. much harder is to introduce that thing of an age limit, i think presumably today, the government wanted the headlines to be about planning, rail nationalisation, not tinkering with the house of lords. that may also have offended quite a few people who were listening to the speech, the lords. b. were listening to the speech, the lords. �* . ~ were listening to the speech, the lords. �* , ., lords. a quick plug for your

programme- _ lords. a quick plug for your programme. newscast, ii lords. a quick plug for your. programme. newscast, iwill lords. a quick plug for your- programme. newscast, i will record it as soon as — programme. newscast, i will record it as soon as the _ programme. newscast, i will record it as soon as the news _ programme. newscast, i will record it as soon as the news at _ programme. newscast, i will record it as soon as the news at six - programme. newscast, i will record it as soon as the news at six is i it as soon as the news at six is finished. ., ., ., . ~ finished. now, we are going back inside parliament. _ finished. now, we are going back inside parliament. our— finished. now, we are going back inside parliament. our deputy i inside parliament. our deputy political editors here. the government _ political editors here. the government is _ political editors here. the government is laying i political editors here. tue: government is laying out political editors here. he: government is laying out its priorities, there are a draft of bills covering all sorts of things. the opposition parties having to decide how they approach it. we heard of from rishi sunak, the leader of the opposition, saying that the conservatives would be constructive in their opposition. let's find out from another deputy party leader, richard tice from reform. what is your reaction to the king speech? lats reform. what is your reaction to the king speech?— king speech? lots of warm words, sounds good. _ king speech? lots of warm words, sounds good, but _ king speech? lots of warm words, sounds good, but the _ king speech? lots of warm words, sounds good, but the reality - king speech? lots of warm words, sounds good, but the reality is - king speech? lots of warm words, | sounds good, but the reality is that there _ sounds good, but the reality is that there is_ sounds good, but the reality is that there is no— sounds good, but the reality is that there is no growth in the king speech— there is no growth in the king speech today. my constituents are going _ speech today. my constituents are going to _ speech today. my constituents are going to be paying more in taxes, they will— going to be paying more in taxes, they will have less money in their pockets, — they will have less money in their pockets, businesses in my

constituency are going to face more bureaucracy and process, more regulation _ bureaucracy and process, more regulation. that is going to be bad for business. the reality is my constituency has been hit very hard by constituency has been hit very hard iiy mass _ constituency has been hit very hard by mass immigration and no mention of how— by mass immigration and no mention of how to _ by mass immigration and no mention of how to control immigration. everyone — of how to control immigration. everyone knows that their plans on stopping _ everyone knows that their plans on stopping the boats it's ridiculous. and they— stopping the boats it's ridiculous. and they are obsessed with accelerating the job destroying, industry— accelerating the job destroying, industry destroying a net zero. energy— industry destroying a net zero. energy is— industry destroying a net zero. energy is going to become more expensive, i think we are going to be short— expensive, i think we are going to be short of— expensive, i think we are going to be short of energy. for my constituents, i think this is very bad news — constituents, i think this is very bad news i_ constituents, i think this is very bad news. ithink constituents, i think this is very bad news. i think people will get poorer— bad news. i think people will get poorer and that is my concern. what about those — poorer and that is my concern. what about those of _ poorer and that is my concern. what about those of your _ poorer and that is my concern. iggisgt about those of your constituents who might appreciate workers' rights, for example, things that will be open to them from day one in a job. they might see that as something thatis they might see that as something that is a positive.— that is a positive. what will actually happen _ that is a positive. what will actually happen is - that is a positive. what will actually happen is that - that is a positive. what will actually happen is that if i that is a positive. what will i actually happen is that if they that is a positive. what will - actually happen is that if they get this wrong, workers' rights are a good _ this wrong, workers' rights are a good thing — this wrong, workers' rights are a good thing as long as they are sensible _ good thing as long as they are sensible. but if they are too bureaucratic, businesses willjust stop hiring — bureaucratic, businesses willjust stop hiring people. businesses will

stop hiring people. businesses will stop taking risks. you have got to make _ stop taking risks. you have got to make work— stop taking risks. you have got to make work pay but you have also got to make _ make work pay but you have also got to make risk—taking pay and if it does _ to make risk—taking pay and if it does not. — to make risk—taking pay and if it does not. i_ to make risk—taking pay and if it does not, i am hearing from businesses already in might constituency about the burdens, taxation. — constituency about the burdens, taxation, paperwork. that gets worse and i taxation, paperwork. that gets worse and i fear _ taxation, paperwork. that gets worse and i fear underthis taxation, paperwork. that gets worse and i fear under this speech it will, — and i fear under this speech it will, it— and i fear under this speech it will, it is— and i fear under this speech it will, it is the workers who will sutter— will, it is the workers who will suffer the _ will, it is the workers who will suffer the most.— will, it is the workers who will suffer the most. ., . . ,, ., suffer the most. you have talked to our -a suffer the most. you have talked to your party about — suffer the most. you have talked to your party about cutting _ suffer the most. you have talked to your party about cutting taxes - suffer the most. you have talked to your party about cutting taxes for l your party about cutting taxes for people, how would you pay for that? if you scrap net zero, which will make _ if you scrap net zero, which will make no— if you scrap net zero, which will make no difference whatsoever to climate _ make no difference whatsoever to climate change, you could to save 20 or £30 _ climate change, you could to save 20 or £30 billion every year. the bank of england — or £30 billion every year. the bank of england it should stop paying voluntary bank interest on all the printed _ voluntary bank interest on all the printed money, we have exposed the floor printed money, we have exposed the floor in— printed money, we have exposed the floor in that — printed money, we have exposed the floor in that. our deputy former governors— floor in that. our deputy former governors of the bank of england agree _ governors of the bank of england agree with me, senior economists and journalists _ agree with me, senior economists and journalists do as well. that would save a _ journalists do as well. that would save a lot — journalists do as well. that would save a lot of money every year. that is how _ save a lot of money every year. that is how you _ save a lot of money every year. that is how you cut — save a lot of money every year. that is how you cut taxes. as well as cutting — is how you cut taxes. as well as cutting the _ is how you cut taxes. as well as cutting the vast amounts of wasteful spending _ cutting the vast amounts of wasteful spending. i hearabout it cutting the vast amounts of wasteful spending. i hear about it most from doctors _ spending. i hear about it most from doctors and — spending. i hear about it most from doctors and nurses, people who work

in our— doctors and nurses, people who work in our health — doctors and nurses, people who work in our health care system. the waste and mismanagement is off the scale, there _ and mismanagement is off the scale, there is— and mismanagement is off the scale, there is waste everywhere, let's focus _ there is waste everywhere, let's focus on — there is waste everywhere, let's focus on that and getting better value _ focus on that and getting better value for— focus on that and getting better value for money, that is how you grow— value for money, that is how you grow the — value for money, that is how you grow the economy, notjust pouring ever more _ grow the economy, notjust pouring ever more money from people's taxes. gb energy— ever more money from people's taxes. gb energy for example, talking about net zero, the government says that in new technology there is a lot of hope, jobs, a lot of things that can bring actually grows to the economy. there is a place for renewable energy— there is a place for renewable energy within the overall sort of diverse — energy within the overall sort of diverse mix of the way that we create — diverse mix of the way that we create energy, but we need a lot more _ create energy, but we need a lot more nuclear and gas. we should not be buying _ more nuclear and gas. we should not be buying gas from america will we have got— be buying gas from america will we have got loads of gas here on the uk, offshore and onshore. it is complete — uk, offshore and onshore. it is complete economic madness. we are really— complete economic madness. we are really concerned about that and the truth is _ really concerned about that and the truth is the — really concerned about that and the truth is the greater our renewable energy— truth is the greater our renewable energy capacity has grown, our electricity— energy capacity has grown, our electricity bills have gone up to record — electricity bills have gone up to record levels. it is exactly to do with _ record levels. it is exactly to do with that, — record levels. it is exactly to do with that, it is not a coincidence.

the graph— with that, it is not a coincidence. the graph is— with that, it is not a coincidence. the graph is identical. we are not going _ the graph is identical. we are not going to _ the graph is identical. we are not going to get cheaper energy as a result— going to get cheaper energy as a result of— going to get cheaper energy as a result of ever more at renewables, that is— result of ever more at renewables, that is the — result of ever more at renewables, that is the great lie of this five—year government. and people are --oin five—year government. and people are going to _ five—year government. and people are going to pay— five—year government. and people are going to pay ever higher bills. i think— going to pay ever higher bills. i think the — going to pay ever higher bills. i think the chickens will come home to roost— think the chickens will come home to roost on— think the chickens will come home to roost on this. is think the chickens will come home to roost on this-— roost on this. is there anything that ou roost on this. is there anything that you would _ roost on this. is there anything that you would say _ roost on this. is there anything that you would say you - roost on this. is there anything l that you would say you welcome roost on this. is there anything - that you would say you welcome in this kings speech? the opposition leader rishi sunak says that he will be constructive, that he will say where the government does things properly. there is a huge number of bills here,... ? the properly. there is a huge number of bills here,... ?_ bills here,... ? the devil is in the detail. building _ bills here,... ? the devil is in the detail. building more _ bills here,... ? the devil is in the detail. building more homes. - bills here,... ? the devil is in the detail. building more homes. i. bills here,... ? the devil is in the . detail. building more homes. i come from a _ detail. building more homes. i come from a property background, and yet, the truth _ from a property background, and yet, the truth is, _ from a property background, and yet, the truth is, you need that number atone _ the truth is, you need that number atone just — the truth is, you need that number alone just to cope with those who are coming — alone just to cope with those who are coming in legally by way of lawful— are coming in legally by way of lawful immigration. it is going to make _ lawful immigration. it is going to make no— lawful immigration. it is going to make no difference whatsoever, we will not _ make no difference whatsoever, we will not hear that number. what we have got _ will not hear that number. what we have got to — will not hear that number. what we have got to actually do is freeze immigration, let the system catch up. otherwise housing rents are going _ up. otherwise housing rents are going up— up. otherwise housing rents are going up to. what about building roads— going up to. what about building roads so— going up to. what about building roads so that we get more

infrastructure and transport? in my constituency the transport is a disaster — constituency the transport is a disaster. ., . , ., disaster. the government wants to chan . e disaster. the government wants to change planning — disaster. the government wants to change planning rules— disaster. the government wants to change planning rules to _ disaster. the government wants to change planning rules to make - disaster. the government wants to | change planning rules to make that happen. yes change planning rules to make that ha en. , , , ., happen. yes but there is no new road-building — happen. yes but there is no new road-building being _ happen. yes but there is no new road-building being talked - happen. yes but there is no new| road-building being talked about happen. yes but there is no new i road-building being talked about as road—building being talked about as i understand. that is how you create growth, _ i understand. that is how you create growth, create the infrastructure, that creates the jobs and then you can create — that creates the jobs and then you can create more activity. at the moment, — can create more activity. at the moment, i_ can create more activity. at the moment, i have not seen anything that is— moment, i have not seen anything that is good news. i think putting be 80 _ that is good news. i think putting be 80 on — that is good news. i think putting be 80 on school fees isjust going to mean— be 80 on school fees isjust going to mean that 50 to 100,000 pupils will arrive, — to mean that 50 to 100,000 pupils willarrive, bigger to mean that 50 to 100,000 pupils will arrive, bigger class sizes, more — will arrive, bigger class sizes, more pressure on teachers, exactly the opposite of what the government is trying _ the opposite of what the government is trying to— the opposite of what the government is trying to achieve. one the opposite of what the government is trying to achieve.— is trying to achieve. one final question. _ is trying to achieve. one final question, where _ is trying to achieve. one final question, where is _ is trying to achieve. one final question, where is it - is trying to achieve. one final question, where is it your - is trying to achieve. one final. question, where is it your leader today? he question, where is it your leader toda ? . , question, where is it your leader toda ? , . today? he has been here, we both had the privilege — today? he has been here, we both had the privilege of— today? he has been here, we both had the privilege of being _ today? he has been here, we both had the privilege of being in _ today? he has been here, we both had the privilege of being in the _ today? he has been here, we both had the privilege of being in the house - the privilege of being in the house of lords _ the privilege of being in the house of lords chamber, it was hugely, sort of. — of lords chamber, it was hugely, sort of, fantastic moment for us. and then, — sort of, fantastic moment for us. and then, immediately, he has gone over to _ and then, immediately, he has gone over to milwaukee to be with donald trump _ over to milwaukee to be with donald trump and _ over to milwaukee to be with donald trump and obviously, after the horror— trump and obviously, after the horror of— trump and obviously, after the horror of the assassination attempt, nigel— horror of the assassination attempt, nigel farage is very close to donald trump _ nigel farage is very close to donald trump and — nigel farage is very close to donald trump and this is a really important

moment— trump and this is a really important moment for— trump and this is a really important moment for our very strong relationship. keir starmer has spoken— relationship. keir starmer has spoken to _ relationship. keir starmer has spoken to donald trump, nigel has. we have _ spoken to donald trump, nigel has. we have to — spoken to donald trump, nigel has. we have to cement and to secure that relationship, so much, important to be done _ relationship, so much, important to be done with all the geopolitical dangers— be done with all the geopolitical dangers we have got.— be done with all the geopolitical dangers we have got. thank you very much indeed- — dangers we have got. thank you very much indeed. we _ dangers we have got. thank you very much indeed. we will _ dangers we have got. thank you very much indeed. we will see _ dangers we have got. thank you very much indeed. we will see how- dangers we have got. thank you very much indeed. we will see how much| much indeed. we will see how much constructive opposition there is from reform uk and the other parties as well, as all these bills start to make their way through parliament. thank you very much, i will come back to you in a moment or two, but now we are turning to some of the challenges we have had. in the king's speech, the government promised to introduce about llo new laws. bbc verify�*s ben chu has been looking at some of the challenges it faces. we got a sense from the king's speech today about what this government regards as its top priorities and long—term objectives. so, what are they? well, raising gdp growth with a planning and infrastructure bill and also a national wealth fund bill, devolving more powers

within english devolution bill, delivering net zero with a gb energy bill and also bolstering workers rights with an employment rights bill. but it's notable that some short—term challenges facing keir starmer�*s government were not directly addressed in the king's speech, and let's explore some of them. first, public sector pay deals. decisions on pay rises for nhs staff, teachers, police and prison guards in england for 2024—25 have to be taken by the end of this month and the government may find it needs to find an extra £7 billion per year to prevent the wages of these public sector workers from falling further behind their counterparts in the private sector. so you can see from this the average private sector inflation—adjusted wages are around ll% higher than they were in 2010. but public sector wages, they're around 2.5% lower. and the average pay of nurses, teachers and doctors is even lower. so finding an extra £7 billion per year to change this picture would be challenging, given the government's chosen restraints on its spending and taxation powers. but if it fails to do this,

it could find its targets to recruit more teachers and nurses even harder to achieve. also not really mentioned were local councils. a survey of local authority leaders earlier this year found around i in 10 were likely to have to effectively declare bankruptcy this financial year, which would force painful cuts in local services, and around 5 in 10 said they were likely to go bust in this parliament unless local government funding is reformed. now, ministers could give struggling councils a direct financial top—up to keep them afloat, but that would also be expensive for the treasury. third not really mentioned were universities, the £9,250 per year tuition fee that universities in england can charge domestic students has been frozen in cash terms since 2017. this has led to warnings some universities could well go bankrupt in 202a. so, do ministers allow universities to generate more income by raising that tuition fee?

that would likely not go down very well with students. and to add to this list of items not really mentioned today, we can add the fate of the highly indebted thames water, which only has enough cash to last until next may. there is a bill in the king's speech to enhance the water regulator's powers, but it doesn't determine what the future of thames will be. and then there are prisons, which are almost full and projected to be overflowing. the planning reforms in the king's speech could help deliver more prison—building, but the bigger issue of reform of sentencing is not addressed. so, solving these problems doesn't necessarily require legislation, but it will require decisions from ministers, sometimes in the coming months, and those decisions have the potential to be very unpopular with some people or very expensive for the government, and they have as much potential to shape this government's fortunes as what is outlined in the king's speech.

joining me now are: political editor of the spectator, katy balls, and political correspondent at politichoe, ava santina. ——ava evans. what did you make of today? pretty much as expected, _ what did you make of today? pretty much as expected, i _ what did you make of today? pretty much as expected, i think— what did you make of today? pretty much as expected, i think keir- much as expected, i think keir starmer wants to be quite an unsurprising litter in many ways, —— unsurprising litter in many ways, —— unsurprising leader. when it came to the main bills, the planning, the planet to make new rules, finance watchdog ahead of a physical event... i think probablyjust the number of bills, around ill. event... i think probablyjust the number of bills, around m. i think looking at some of the specifics, it is going to be busy but also quite a challenging time, i think it is one thing to talk about some of these

supply... you are going to come against pressure, stakeholders... i against pressure, stakeholders... i would say that it was a rather cautious— would say that it was a rather cautious kings speech today, i think there _ cautious kings speech today, i think there was— cautious kings speech today, i think there was some concern from voters that keir— there was some concern from voters that keir starmer would get into government and suddenly wide open, spending _ government and suddenly wide open, spending all of all sorts, this is pretty— spending all of all sorts, this is pretty much in line with the manifesto that we saw before the 4th ofjuly. _ manifesto that we saw before the 4th ofjuly. in _ manifesto that we saw before the 4th ofjuly. in terms of what the... in terms _ ofjuly. in terms of what the... in terms of— ofjuly. in terms of what the... in terms of what has been announced with new— terms of what has been announced with new deals with workers, the railways. — with new deals with workers, the railways, and what has been announced on schools, they are pleased — announced on schools, they are pleased so _ announced on schools, they are pleased so far but they do not think it has— pleased so far but they do not think it has gone — pleased so far but they do not think it has gone far enough. it says to me that — it has gone far enough. it says to me that he — it has gone far enough. it says to me that he is basicallyjust being careful — me that he is basically 'ust being careful. . . , ., . careful. the criticism of labour, ou sin careful. the criticism of labour, you sign the _ careful. the criticism of labour, you sign the election _ careful. the criticism of labour, you sign the election campaign, careful. the criticism of labour, i you sign the election campaign, is that perhaps it was a modest offering. they deny that and say this is radical, because if they can deliver the growth, then lots flows out of that. but that is still, it is an open question. we out of that. but that is still, it is an open question.— out of that. but that is still, it is an open question. we have to send to

is an open question. we have to spend to grow. _ is an open question. we have to spend to grow, and _ is an open question. we have to spend to grow, and i _ is an open question. we have to spend to grow, and i think - is an open question. we have to spend to grow, and i think we . is an open question. we have to i spend to grow, and i think we will see that _ spend to grow, and i think we will see that with a £8 billion that is going _ see that with a £8 billion that is going to — see that with a £8 billion that is going to go into great british energy. _ going to go into great british energy, every pound that you put into that — energy, every pound that you put into that you should get £3 of funded — into that you should get £3 of funded money and come back to you, if that— funded money and come back to you, if that works — funded money and come back to you, if that works out it would be fantastic _ if that works out it would be fantastic. the results of that we will not — fantastic. the results of that we will not sleep for at least two or three _ will not sleep for at least two or three years, we might not even see it until— three years, we might not even see it until the — three years, we might not even see it until the next parliament. it is a bit of a waiting _ it until the next parliament. it 3 a bit of a waiting gate. there was always a gap, even in the election campaign, foran always a gap, even in the election campaign, for an electorate that was crying out for change and how soon that change would actually be felt. and you got that sense even today with the introductory comments about quite how long some of these things will take to actually deliver. exactly, and it fits in again to that consistent thing from labour, the decade of renewal, this idea that it will take a long time to make something of the growth planning to get it in place. i think we set up starmer planting the seeds today. in a way the kings speech is not going to be the most challenging set piece for keir starmer or rachel

reeves. it is all very well to talk about plans of growth and hope they pay off. i think what is going to be more difficult, of course it is an autumn budget, that is where we are going to find out if the new chancellor does think that she needs to raise some tax, if the growth is going to take longer. sol to raise some tax, if the growth is going to take longer. so i think todayit going to take longer. so i think today it was more about putting a sign post and saying these are the things we are prioritising. and we got that, because somethings are not being prioritised. did got that, because somethings are not being prioritised.— being prioritised. did you get a sense from _ being prioritised. did you get a sense from the _ being prioritised. did you get a sense from the early _ being prioritised. did you get a . sense from the early contributions of how this new parliament will work in terms ofjust the numbers of the government benches, the number of opposition now and the much shrunken conservative party, you have the snp who was talking, the collapse of them, how do you think it will go over the next few months? when you have a majority of that size, can you just press on ahead with those key areas that they want to actually make progress on? i key areas that they want to actually make progress on?— make progress on? i think rishi sunak spent _ make progress on? i think rishi sunak spent a _ make progress on? i think rishi sunak spent a lot _ make progress on? i think rishi sunak spent a lot of _ make progress on? i think rishi sunak spent a lot of time - make progress on? i think rishi i sunak spent a lot of time warning about—

sunak spent a lot of time warning about a _ sunak spent a lot of time warning about a super majority, but he negated — about a super majority, but he negated to mention that the left always— negated to mention that the left always tends displayed end we saw that today, one of the first intervention strength keir starmer's speech— intervention strength keir starmer's speech in— intervention strength keir starmer's speech in the commons from labour's~~ _ speech in the commons from labour's... it speech in the commons from labour's- - -— speech in the commons from labour's... , , ,, labour's. .. it is pressure, there will be an _ labour's. .. it is pressure, there will be an amendment, - labour's. .. it is pressure, there will be an amendment, i'm - labour's. .. it is pressure, there | will be an amendment, i'm sure labour's. .. it is pressure, there i will be an amendment, i'm sure it labour's. .. it is pressure, there - will be an amendment, i'm sure it is going to dominate headlines for a while. i going to dominate headlines for a while. ~ , . ., while. i think it is fair to say, we are about _ while. i think it is fair to say, we are about two — while. i think it is fair to say, we are about two weeks _ while. i think it is fair to say, we are about two weeks into - while. i think it is fair to say, we are about two weeks into a - while. i think it is fair to say, we are about two weeks into a new| are about two weeks into a new labour government, i have had labour figures say to me already some of my colleagues are complaining. that obviously happened a lot more with the tories, it was a smaller majority. i think a majority can look big, but you can find it is an inch deep. keir starmer has the momentum of his mps behind him right now. the fact that there has been pressure on the two child benefit, i think it is pointing to tensions ahead. . , , ., , . think it is pointing to tensions ahead. . , . ahead. party division is always a roblem, ahead. party division is always a problem, whatever _ ahead. party division is always a problem, whatever the - ahead. party division is always a problem, whatever the size - ahead. party division is always a problem, whatever the size of i ahead. party division is always a i problem, whatever the size of the majority. two final questions... i was struck by the tone of the

initial contributions, especially rishi sunak. i initial contributions, especially rishi sunak.— initial contributions, especially rishisunak. ,, , ,, rishi sunak. ithink rishi sunak, it is --erhas rishi sunak. ithink rishi sunak, it is perhaps the _ rishi sunak. ithink rishi sunak, it is perhaps the relief _ rishi sunak. ithink rishi sunak, it is perhaps the relief of _ rishi sunak. ithink rishi sunak, it is perhaps the relief of no - rishi sunak. ithink rishi sunak, it is perhaps the relief of no longer i is perhaps the relief of no longer being in this position where part of the party are really unhappy with you, and the election results. but he seemed to have a weight lifted for him and quite good humour today. he made a joke that i think was broadly well—received, effectively talking to about his own journey as he gave advice to keir starmer and others, of being quite quick to a very high promotion and now having to ponder if you can really brand yourself as an elder statesman at the age of 44. yourself as an elder statesman at the age of 44-— the age of m. keir starmer was uenerous the age of 44. keir starmer was generous and — the age of 44. keir starmer was generous and saying _ the age of 44. keir starmer was generous and saying how- the age of 44. keir starmer was generous and saying how he - the age of 44. keir starmer was| generous and saying how he has spoken since the election, he thought it had gone way beyond what he expected. i thought that was interesting in terms of the tone of what we are hearing from mps. a final thought, journals always bang on about the first hundred days. do you think that has much traction with the public? are they much bothered about those sorts of parameters that are put on things? i

parameters that are put on things? i think they would like to see change, that was— think they would like to see change, that was the entire impetus behind the election. they would like to see something — the election. they would like to see something happen. labour have been quite lucky— something happen. labour have been quite lucky that today they have inherited — quite lucky that today they have inherited stagnant inflation and they have inherited not too terrible set of _ they have inherited not too terrible set of economic forecast, they be all right — set of economic forecast, they be all right ls— set of economic forecast, they be all ri . ht. , , set of economic forecast, they be all riuht. , , , set of economic forecast, they be all riht. , , , . set of economic forecast, they be all riuht. , , , . ~ all right. is it 'ust us that think they have — all right. is itjust us that think they have 100 _ all right. is itjust us that think they have 100 days _ all right. is itjust us that think they have 100 days to - all right. is itjust us that think they have 100 days to really i all right. is itjust us that think. they have 100 days to really push all right. is itjust us that think- they have 100 days to really push it through the momentum, that is where they are the strongest? i through the momentum, that is where they are the strongest?— they are the strongest? i don't think most _ they are the strongest? i don't think most people _ they are the strongest? i don't think most people are - they are the strongest? i don't think most people are set - they are the strongest? i don't think most people are set at i they are the strongest? i don't - think most people are set at home counting _ think most people are set at home counting the days, otherwise they are in— counting the days, otherwise they are in real— counting the days, otherwise they are in real trouble. counting the days, otherwise they are in realtrouble.| counting the days, otherwise they are in real trouble. i do counting the days, otherwise they are in realtrouble._ are in realtrouble. i do think it is important — are in realtrouble. i do think it is important to _ are in realtrouble. i do think it is important to have _ are in realtrouble. i do think it is important to have a - are in realtrouble. i do think it is important to have a sense i are in realtrouble. i do think it is important to have a sense of momentum early on. there are small things that i think to send a signal to the public, first impressions are important, it is really hard to change someone's mind once they have formed one. broadly speaking, it is important, but not putting a number on the days. the important, but not putting a number on the days-— on the days. the sun is setting, think you _ on the days. the sun is setting, think you both for _ on the days. the sun is setting, think you both for being - on the days. the sun is setting, think you both for being here, i think you both for being here, with me towards the tail end of the day. we are nearly coming to the end of our coverage here, so let me bring

in our deputy political editor there inside parliament. the key, the day it has started with all that pomp and ceremony we got used to and i think we will run some of the pictures. where do you think it is ended? l pictures. where do you think it is ended? .�* pictures. where do you think it is ended? ., �* ~' , pictures. where do you think it is ended? ., �* ,, , pictures. where do you think it is ended? ., �* 4' , ., pictures. where do you think it is ended? ., �* ,, , . ended? i don't think this was a day for a hue ended? i don't think this was a day for a huge political— ended? i don't think this was a day for a huge political clash. - ended? i don't think this was a day for a huge political clash. as - ended? i don't think this was a day for a huge political clash. as you i for a huge political clash. as you said there, the tone of the exchanges between keir starmer and rishi sunak, it was all pretty good—natured, wasn't it? those debates and those strong political arguments are for another day. i think, touching on what you are talking about there about 100 days, there is no way they will get things completed in 100 days. it will be incredibly difficult to do, it is about really getting these things started and i thought one of the most telling things was sir keir starmer talking about people needing patients. saying that we need a decade of renewal, as he puts it, already making that bid for another term in offence saying that to turn around things like the nhs it is going to take a very long time. the

question is, whether the electorate is going to be patient before it sees those changes. it will be difficult. ithink sees those changes. it will be difficult. i think the devolution, they have plans for that, it will be interesting to see how that works. there is sometimes a contradiction here, giving more powers to mayors over transport and planning. on the other hand, the centre wanting to say you have got to build all these new homes. you always have those contradictions and of course coming into power, having a huge majority and then starting to give that power away from the centre. not many governments like to do that. there is an awful lot to get into here when we see the detail, these are the broad outlines of these bills. seeing what is actually in them when they actually make it there and we can read them, there is a lot of unanswered questions. we can read them, there is a lot of unanswered questions.- can read them, there is a lot of unanswered questions. we are seeing the ictures unanswered questions. we are seeing the pictures from _ unanswered questions. we are seeing the pictures from earlier, _ unanswered questions. we are seeing the pictures from earlier, so - unanswered questions. we are seeing the pictures from earlier, so many - the pictures from earlier, so many new mps being involved in these extraordinary scenes, watch around the world for the first time. it is an incredible moment for all of them. , . , ., ~ ,

them. yes, a huge number of new mps who ou them. yes, a huge number of new mps who you see — them. yes, a huge number of new mps who you see they're _ them. yes, a huge number of new mps who you see they're looking _ them. yes, a huge number of new mps who you see they're looking a - them. yes, a huge number of new mps who you see they're looking a little - who you see they're looking a little bit lost, trying to come to terms with all the new rules, where they should say, what they are supposed to do, their new office, and of course helping their constituents. a big change, notjust in government, but in the personnel here who will be looking around this place and deciding the debates and the issues that they want to pursue over the next five years.— that they want to pursue over the next five years. thank you for being with us and — next five years. thank you for being with us and guiding _ next five years. thank you for being with us and guiding our _ next five years. thank you for being with us and guiding our audience i with us and guiding our audience through the hours of today, and thanks to all of you for watching, to my team here. that is it from me, the six o'clock news is here next after the weather. hello. the weather has started to change. it has started to turn warmer, and it will continue to do so over the next couple of days, turning very warm, even hot in some places, turning very humid as well. but that certainly doesn't mean it's always going to be sunny, and today, we certainly saw more clouds rolling in across parts of northern ireland. that was how it looked earlier

on at newcastle in county down. this stripe of cloud here on the earlier satellite image, that's going to bring rain across parts of northern ireland and scotland overnight, but these various weather systems are mainly being steered away to the north at the moment, allowing this warm and humid air to work its way in. so through this evening and tonight, yes, we do have that cloud and those outbreaks of rain across northern ireland, the western side of scotland. it's going to turn quite misty and murky, i think, for some coasts and hills in the west as that increasingly humid air arrives. some clear spells further south and east, temperatures holding up between 11—14 degrees. so into tomorrow, cloud and outbreaks of rain for northern ireland, for scotland, perhaps the far north—west of england. whereas further south and east, we see some spells of sunshine, but western coast of england and west wales perhaps quite misty and murky at times. temperatures, well, north to south, we're looking at 16—27 degrees. 16—24 would be typical at this time of year, so in many spots, those temperatures just a touch above the average forjuly. we haven't seen many above—average days recently. now into friday, here comes another

weather system pushing its way in from the atlantic, but ahead of that, we really start to import some warmth from the near continent. this is the day when south—eastern parts of england could potentially get to 30 degrees. again, though, some mistand murk for some western coasts, a bit more cloud in the mix generally for northern ireland and scotland. even here, though, we will see some spells of sunshine. sheltered spots along the moray coast may well do quite nicely temperature—wise, 22—23 degrees, but 29—30 in the south—east corner. however, it will not last, because through the weekend, through saturday, we're going to see this frontal system bringing outbreaks of heavy, thundery rain. and behind that, for sunday, we will be left with cooler, fresher air in places. so some heavy, thundery rain on saturday, sunshine and showers on sunday, and by that stage, it will feel cooler.

today at 6pm... the new government sets out its plans in the king's speech, with a promise to take the brakes off britain. horns play. amid the pageantry of the state opening of parliament, measures are announced to free up the planning process, nationalise the railways and improve the rights of renters and workers. trumpets, fancy outfits and a hefty set of planned new laws. we will try and explain what the new government is up to and what people make of it. also on the programme this evening... the us secret service says it didn't guard the roof used by donald trump's would—be assassin because it was slanted and there were health and safety concerns. scientists find a drug to make mice live up to 25% longer, but could it work for humans too?

and, despite fears of sewage pollution in the river seine,