Is Starmer’s King’s Speech really a recipe for growth?

Labour’s first King’s Speech in almost 15 years is expected to be quite meaty. According to reports, His Majesty’s new government will propose 35 parliamentary bills for the coming year. 

To be entirely realistic, many of these will fall by the wayside. Parliamentary time is limited, and there are always unexpected events that derail existing legislative plans and call for new ones. Nevertheless, the King’s Speech will be quite revealing about the new government. What they choose to include – and not – sends a signal about early priorities and dispositions.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said ahead of the speech that the government will ‘take the brakes off Britain’. They are promising a legislative agenda focused on improving living standards by driving economic growth. This comes off the heels of big announcements on housebuilding, infrastructure and major projects. Reforming the planning system is undoubtedly the most important part of the new government’s agenda.