King's Speech at a glance: Smoking ban, crime crackdown and new football regulator

7 November 2023, 10:12 | Updated: 7 November 2023, 12:10

King Charles delivers his first speech to Parliament as monarch
King Charles delivers his first speech to Parliament as monarch. Picture: Parliament

By Ana Truesdale

King Charles has delivered his first speech at the State Opening of Parliament where he revealed the government's legislative agenda for the year ahead.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

King Charles outlined the laws to be introduced in his first speech since his coronation.

He delivered the speech from 11:30am in the House of Lords at the State Opening of Parliament.

The speech is written by the government for the King to read out. It formally states the legislative plans of the government to the public and parliamentarians.

At a glance:

Smoking ban: Plans to raise the legal age for purchasing cigarettes in England by one year every year. Eventually, it will be illegal for anyone to buy a cigarette.

Crackdown on crime: The most serious crimes, such as rape, will have tougher sentences. Criminals will also be forced to attend court while they are being sentenced.

New police powers: The government is planning to allow police officers to retrieve stolen goods, like smartphones, without a warrant. If they have reasonable proof that stolen goods are inside a property, like a tracking app, officers will be able to raid a property.

Football regulator: The government is planning to set up an independent body to govern the top five English football leagues. The move to create an 'Ofwat for football' has cross-party support.

Leasehold reform: Leaseholds to be phased out in England and Wales. All new houses will have to be sold as freehold properties.

Self-driving cars: Driverless cars and buses have been given the green light by the government. The government says introducing this technology to British roads will create jobs and boost the economy.

Read more: Retailers warn of ‘potential pressures’ from enforcing smoking ban

Read more: 'Sexual and sadistic' murderers to be jailed for rest of their lives, Rishi Sunak vows, as PM pledges crime crackdown

It will be the first time Rishi Sunak will have his legislative plans delivered in a King's Speech.

It's also likely to be the last, as the prime minister has to call a general election in 2025.

Boris Johnson was the last prime minister who oversaw a state opening, as Liz Truss' turn was too short for her to showcase her policies in this way.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

A Serbian assassin may prove to be a key suspect in the murder of TV star Jill Dando in 1999, an investigation has revealed.

New clues unveiled in mysterious Jill Dando murder case as second witness links 'Serbian assassin' to TV star's death

Commuters cycling to work on an urban street

Cyclists who kill pedestrians to face life sentences in victory for campaigners who slammed former 'loophole' in law

A fleet of Mercedes minivans carrying actress Florence Pugh and her family were targeted by 'masked robbers' following the premiere of her new film Thunderbolts.

Florence Pugh's minivan targeted in 'shock raid' by 'lawless' masked thieves following Thunderbolts premiere in London

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during an 'In Conversation' event with Debbie Weinstein, managing Director Goole UK&I during the Labour Party Conference at the ACC Liverpool. Picture date: Monday September 23, 2024.

Sluggish AI adoption could cost UK economy £200bn in growth as Google issues 'call to arms' over country's tech gap

PEEQUAL co-founders Hazel McShane (left) and Amber Probyn.

Runners’ urine to be turned into fertiliser at the London Marathon

A person views knives available to purchase via an online website

Tech firms and bosses face fines up to £70,000 for failing to remove 'sickening' knife crime content

Sewage protest in Falmouth, Cornwall following a series of discharges which cancelled beachside events

'No more hiding places' - Polluting water bosses face up to two years in prison under new laws

Pile of chocolate digestive biscuits

We've been eating chocolate digestives wrong for 100 years, reveals McVitie's boss

A man lighting up a cigarette

Effects of smoking and drinking too much are 'felt by the age of 36'

Constance Marten and Mark Gordon

Runaway aristocrat Constance Marten tells court 'we did everything we could' to protect newborn baby as trial continues

US President Donald Trump will be sat in the third row at Pope Francis' funeral.

Trump to be relegated to the third row at the Pope's funeral

The head of Edinburgh University has said "around 350" staff have taken voluntary redundancy as the sector wrestles with a financial crisis, with more jobs being potentially cut.

350 staff at Edinburgh University take voluntary redundancy and more jobs on the line

Kieron Goodwin, 33, was found guilty of murder after a five-week trial at Bristol Crown Court

Man who plied partner with cocaine then fatally strangled her on night she planned to leave him convicted of murder

Andrew Johnston of Britain's Got Talent performs at Manchester's Christmas party at Albert Square on November 12, 2010 in Manchester, England.

Britain’s Got Talent choirboy star who was given £1m record deal ‘pinned down and raped’ two women

Exclusive
Kneecap have been making headlines after they used a recent performance at Coachella to denounce Israeli attacks on Gaza

Kneecap could be pulled from major UK show after shouting 'pro-Hamas' chants at concert

Eni Aluko and Ian Wright during the Arnold Clark Cup match between England Lionesses and Spain at Carrow Road on February 20, 2022 in Norwich, England.

Eni Aluko 'faces sack' after accusing Ian Wright of blocking female pundits by ‘dominating’ women’s football coverage