King Charles III made his first address as monarch earlier this week, addressing MPs and peers and setting out what the government will be doing in the coming months. It forms part of the start of the parliamentary year, and the whole occasion, as always, was drenched in pomp and ceremony.
The King and Queen Consort, Camilla, were dressed in full ceremonial attire (complete with bejewelled crown and dazzling tiara) as the former read out the speech written by the government. So, what was included in the speech, and was anything left out that had been expected?
What Was Included?
Healthcare
No Mental Health Bill
One of the most striking exclusions from the speech was the absence of the Mental Health Bill.
It had been hoped that the Bill would be included to help reform the Mental Health Act of 1983, which has various problems, according to many charities, campaigners and healthcare leaders.
That there was no mention of the Mental Health Bill has left many people feeling let down. Dr Sarah Hughes, Chief Executive of mental health charity Mind, said:
“The long overdue Mental Health Bill is a chance to overhaul the way the system works when people are in a mental health crisis … That chance has now been missed, and the UK government has broken its promise to thousands of people”.
This disappointment has been echoed by other charities as well as NHS leaders.
Smoking Ban
On a more positive note for healthcare leaders, there was news regarding smoking bans. The speech included plans to prevent the sale of tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 to “create a smoke-free generation”.
It’s thought that the new funding pledged (£70 million) will help around 360,000 people stop smoking.
Social Care
Disappointingly, there was nothing included in the King’s Speech on social care. The system is currently creaking at the seams and relying mainly on unpaid and paid carers’ goodwill to keep it functioning.
Burnout levels are high among carers, with almost 80% of UK carers experiencing unprecedented levels of burnout post-pandemic. Chief Executive of Care England, Professor Martin Green OBE, had this to say:
“When Boris Johnson was first elected as Prime Minister, he stood on the steps of 10 Downing Street and promised to fix social care. 3 Prime Ministers later, that promise sits broken. With silence on social care in the King’s Speech, the pressure is now on the former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Hunt, to outline how the government can make true on its promise.”
Education
The speech included proposals regarding the Advanced British Standard, which will replace A-levels and T-levels. The King said: “The introduction of the Advanced British Standard … will bring technical and academic routes into a single qualification.”
Also mentioned was the plan to “reduce the number of young people studying poor quality university degrees” and “increase the number undertaking high-quality apprenticeships.”
Criminal Justice
Policing and criminal justice formed an integral part of the King’s Speech, reflecting the government’s broader manifesto pledges to be tougher on crime.
The speech included a Sentencing Bill which will prevent rapists from being released early and make life sentences mandatory for the most severe and egregious offenders.
It also included a Criminal Justice Bill, which will deliver judges greater power to ensure criminals attend court so they can directly hear the impacts of their crimes.
In terms of policing, a Bill was also announced granting law enforcement greater access to personal data when needed for their investigations.
Final Thoughts on the King’s Speech
The King’s Speech delivered in some areas whilst disappointing in others. The criminal justice and education sectors included actionable plans, whereas the healthcare and social sectors have felt let down at the lack of commitment towards their own sectors.
