King paid tribute to his mother the late Queen’s 'legacy of service and devotion' as he conducted the state opening of Parliament for the first time as monarch
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00:00 My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,
00:06 It is mindful of a legacy of service and devotion to this country set by my beloved mother,
00:13 the late Queen, that I deliver this, the First King's Speech, in over 70 years.
00:21 The impact of Covid and the war in Ukraine have created significant long-term challenges
00:27 for the United Kingdom. That is why my Government's priority is to make the difficult but necessary
00:35 long-term decisions to change this country for the better.
00:40 My Minister's focus is on increasing economic growth and safeguarding the health and security
00:48 of the British people for generations to come.
00:53 My Government will continue to take action to bring down inflation, to ease the cost
01:00 of living for families and help businesses fund new jobs and investment.
01:08 My Ministers will support the Bank of England to return inflation to target by taking responsible
01:14 decisions on spending and borrowing. These decisions will help household finances, reduce
01:22 public sector debt and safeguard the financial security of the country.
01:30 Legislation will be introduced to strengthen the United Kingdom's energy security and
01:36 reduce reliance on volatile international energy markets and hostile foreign regimes.
01:45 This Bill will support the future licensing of new oil and gas fields, helping the country
01:52 to transition to net zero by 2050 without adding undue burdens on households.
02:01 Alongside this, my Ministers will seek to attract record levels of investment in renewable
02:07 energy sources and reform grid connections, building on the United Kingdom's track record
02:14 of decarbonising faster than other G7 economies.
02:20 My Government will invest in Network North to deliver faster and more reliable journeys
02:27 between and within the cities and towns of the North and Midlands, prioritising improving
02:34 the journeys that people make most often.
02:40 My Ministers will strengthen education for the long term. Steps will be taken to ensure
02:47 young people have the knowledge and skills to succeed, through the introduction of the
02:53 Advanced British Standard that will bring technical and academic routes into a single
02:59 qualification.
03:02 Schemes will be implemented to reduce the number of young people studying poor-quality
03:08 university degrees and increase the number undertaking high-quality apprenticeships.
03:16 My Ministers will take steps to make the economy more competitive, taking advantage of freedoms
03:23 afforded by the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union.
03:29 A Bill will be brought forward to promote trade and investment with economies in the
03:35 fastest-growing region in the world.
03:39 My Ministers will continue to negotiate trade agreements with dynamic economies, delivering
03:45 jobs and growth in the United Kingdom.
03:51 My Ministers will introduce new legal frameworks to support the safe commercial development
03:57 of emerging industries, such as self-driving vehicles, introduce new competition rules
04:04 for digital markets and encourage innovation in technologies such as machine learning.
04:14 Legislation will be brought forward to support the creative industries and protect public
04:19 interest journalism.
04:23 Bills will be published to reform welfare and support more people into work.
04:30 My Government will promote the integrity of the Union and strengthen the social fabric
04:36 of the United Kingdom.
04:40 Working with NHS England, my Government will deliver its plans to cut waiting lists and
04:47 transform the long-term workforce of the National Health Service.
04:52 This will include delivering on the NHS Workforce Plan, the first long-term plan to train the
04:59 doctors and nurses the country needs, and minimum service levels to prevent strikes
05:07 from undermining patient safety.
05:11 Record levels of investment are expanding and transforming mental health services to
05:17 ensure more people can access the support they need.
05:23 My Government will introduce legislation to create a smoke-free generation by restricting
05:30 the sale of tobacco so that children currently aged 14 or younger can never be sold cigarettes,
05:39 and restricting the sale and marketing of e-cigarettes to children.
05:46 My Ministers will bring forward a Bill to reform the housing market by making it cheaper
05:51 and easier for leaseholders to purchase their freehold and tackling the exploitation of
05:58 millions of homeowners through punitive service charges.
06:05 Renters will benefit from stronger security of tenure and better value, while landlords
06:12 will benefit from reforms to provide certainty that they can regain their properties when
06:18 needed.
06:21 My Government will deliver a long-term plan to regenerate towns and put local people in
06:28 control of their future.
06:32 Legislation will be brought forward to safeguard the future of football clubs for the benefit
06:38 of communities and fans.
06:41 A Bill will be introduced to deal with the scourge of unlicensed pedicabs in London.
06:51 My Government is committed to tackling anti-Semitism and ensuring that the Holocaust is never forgotten.
06:59 A Bill will progress the construction of a National Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre
07:06 in Victoria Tower Gardens.
07:11 My Government will act to keep communities safe from crime, anti-social behaviour, terrorism
07:18 and illegal migration.
07:22 A Bill will be brought forward to ensure tougher sentences for the most serious offenders and
07:29 increase the confidence of victims.
07:33 My Ministers will introduce legislation to empower police forces and the criminal justice
07:39 system to prevent new or complex crimes, such as digital-enabled crime and child sexual
07:47 abuse, including grooming.
07:52 At a time when threats to national security are changing rapidly due to new technology,
08:00 my Ministers will give the security and intelligence services the powers they need and will strengthen
08:06 independent judicial oversight.
08:11 Legislation will be introduced to protect public premises from terrorism in light of
08:17 the Manchester Arena attack.
08:22 My Government will deliver on the Illegal Migration Act passed earlier this year and
08:28 on international agreements to stop dangerous and illegal channel crottings and ensure it
08:34 is the Government, not criminal gangs, who decides who comes to this country.
08:43 My Government will continue to champion security around the world, to invest in our gallant
08:48 armed forces and to support veterans to whom so much is owed.
08:56 My Ministers will work closely with international partners to support Ukraine, strengthen NATO
09:03 and address the most pressing security challenges.
09:08 This includes the consequences of the barbaric acts of terrorism against the people of Israel,
09:16 facilitating humanitarian support into Gaza and supporting the cause of peace and stability
09:22 in the Middle East.
09:26 My Government will continue to lead action on tackling climate change and biodiversity
09:33 loss, support developing countries with their energy of transition and hold other countries
09:42 to their environmental commitments.
09:47 The United Kingdom will continue to lead international discussions to ensure that artificial intelligence
09:56 is developed safely.
10:00 My Government will host the Global Investment Summit, the European Political Community and
10:06 the Energy Conference, leading global conversations on the United Kingdom's most pressing challenges.
10:16 I look forward to welcoming His Excellency the President of the Republic of Korea and
10:21 Mrs Kim Kye-on-hee for a state visit later this month.
10:29 My Government will, in all respects, seek to make long-term decisions in the interests
10:36 of future generations.
10:39 My Ministers will address inflation and the drivers of low growth over demands for greater
10:45 spending or borrowing.
10:48 My Ministers will put the security of communities and the nation ahead of the rights of those
10:54 who endanger it.
10:57 By taking these long-term decisions, my Government will change this country and build a better
11:03 future.
11:07 Members of the House of Commons, estimates for the public services will be laid before
11:13 you.
11:15 My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, other measures will be laid before you.
11:22 I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels.
11:42 Thank you.
11:59 (Applause.)
12:16 (The bill is signed.)
12:43 (Applause.)
12:59 (The bill is signed.)
13:06 [BLANK_AUDIO]