- Stephen Metcalfe has welcomed the Government’s legislative programme which was announced in the King’s Speech.
- The King’s Speech marks the beginning a new Parliamentary session.
- Priorities in this Parliamentary session include rental reform, tech regulation, animal welfare, law and order, and energy independence.
- By taking long-term decisions, the Government is focussing on long-term prosperity.
Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has welcomed the Government’s new legislative programme set out in the King’s Speech and the benefits it will bring to people across the constituency.
For too long, governments of all colours have taken short-term decisions that place political capital above anything else. However, the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, is committed to long-termism.
During this Parliamentary session, the Government will introduce a new Leasehold and Freehold Bill to reform the rental sector for the long term. This will deliver a manifesto commitment to improve leaseholders’ rights. The Government will also consult on capping all ground rents, ensuring all leaseholders are protected from making payments that require no service or benefit in return. Subject to that consultation, the Government will look to introduce a cap through this Bill.
In order to propel the UK’s long-term reputation as a tech hub, the Government will be introducing a new Automated Vehicles Bill, a new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill and a new Data Protection and Digital Information Bill.
The Government will also bring forward an Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill which will deliver on a manifesto commitment to use the UK’s new Brexit freedoms to end live exports of animals for slaughter and fattening for the long term.
Next, a new Sentencing Bill will keep serious offenders behind bars for the whole of their custodial terms and make Whole Life Orders available for murderers who kill with sexual or sadistic conduct. Hence, life really will mean life. Moreover, a new Criminal Justice Bill will give police the tools to fight serious online crime such as child sexual abuse and child grooming. Additionally, a new Victims and Prisoners Bill will block the parole of the worst offenders and stop those on Whole Life Orders from marrying in prison. On the national stage, a new Investigatory Powers Bill will give intelligence services the powers they need to prevent national security incidents.
The Government is also introducing legislation to increase the UK’s energy independence in the long term. This includes a new Energy Sovereignty Bill and a new Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill. Whilst the UK has made big progress – with carbon emissions cut by 48% and renewable energy supplying 45% of the UK’s electricity – oil and gas will still be needed as the UK makes its way to net zero emissions by 2050.
Finally, to improve the nation’s long-term health, the Government will introduce a new Tobacco and Vapes Bill to prevent young people vaping and phase out the use of cigarettes.
Stephen Metcalfe said:
“If we are going to improve people’s lives for the better in South Basildon and East Thurrock, we have to deliver long-term solutions to the problems families and business face.
I welcome the Government’s new legislative programme, as set out in the King’s Speech, which is committed to long-termism.
This King’s Speech, as well as many other actions, shows that the Prime Minister is committed to breaking the old model of politics and is focussed on delivering long-term prosperity.”
The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, said:
“Today marked the first King’s Speech in over seventy years, bringing forward our plan to build a better future for the next seventy.
Just as I have done with energy security, net zero, illegal migration and HS2, the King’s Speech takes the long-term decisions to address the challenges this country faces, not the easy way out with short-term gimmicks.
As we take the necessary steps to halve inflation and reduce debt, we will legislate to grow the economy, by supporting innovative businesses and protecting consumers.
To make the real change this country needs, we will bring forward bills that strengthen our society, help people feel safer in their own communities and give a sense of pride in the place they call home.”
