Keir Starmer accuses Tories of 'giving up' with King's Speech - live updates

MPs shout 'shame!' at Suella Braverman as Labour demand she's sacked

Suella Braverman faced calls to be sacked as Labour leader Keir Starmer criticised the Home Secretary for her "divisive brand of politics". Mrs Braverman provoked anger at the weekend as she claimed rough sleeping is sometimes a "lifestyle choice".

Mr Starmer told the Commons: "We have a party so devoid of leadership it is happy to follow a Home Secretary who describes homelessness as a lifestyle choice."

Shouts of "shame" could be heard from Labour MPs, with Mr Starmer adding: "And believes that the job of protecting us all from extremists, the most basic job of government, is legitimate terrain for her divisive brand of politics. As director of public prosecutions, I worked closely with the police and counter-terrorism forces. Their job is hard enough already without the Home Secretary using it as a platform for her own ambition."

Shouts of "sack her" could be heard as Sir Keir said: "So I say to the Prime Minister think very carefully about what she is committing your Government to do and think very carefully about the consequences of putting greater demands on public servants at the coalface of keeping us safe, because without a serious Home Secretary there can be no serious government and he cannot be a serious Prime Minister."

Keir Starmer tells Rishi Sunak to 'stop messing around'

Keir Starmer has demanded that Rishi “stop messing around” as he accused him of setting out a “recipe for decline” on a day he described as a “new low”.

Speaking in the Commons, the Labour leader said: “What this address shows, with ever more clarity, is that the only fight left in them is the fight for their own skin.

“A government that has given up, dragging Britain down with them, ever more steadily, towards decline. A day, when it became crystal clear that the change Britain needs is from Tory decline to Labour renewal.”

The King’s Speech did not contain any new measures to help with the cost of living. Glaring omissions include promised bans on trophy hunting and gay conversion therapy.

King Charles comes face to face with protesters

Dozens of republicans took to the streets of Westminster to shout "Not My King" as King Charles and Queen Camilla passed by in their carriage.

The demonstrators held up bright yellow placards and booed as the royal couples departed the Houses of Parliament to return to the Houses of Parliament.

Richard 'shuts up' GMB guest who says Hancock 'deserved' being called 'd***head'

(AFP via Getty Images)

'Desperate last throw of the dice'

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “This is a desperate last throw of the dice from the Conservatives.

“There is nothing in today’s King’s Speech to fix the country’s problems – just cheap electioneering.

“Ministers have turned their back on working people. Having promised numerous times to bring forward an Employment Bill to tackle insecure work, the Tories have junked this promise and are now attacking people’s fundamental right to strike.

“Instead of fixing our crumbling public services, the Government is trying to blame paramedics, teachers and other key workers for their failures.

“And with families across the country facing a cost-of-living crisis, rowing back on net-zero commitments will do nothing to bring down bills or to deliver better jobs and pay.

“We can’t go on like this. The Conservatives have broken Britain.”

Smokers' lobby group not happy

Simon Clark, director of the smokers’ lobby group Forest, said plans which would mean no-one currently aged under 14 could ever buy cigarettes were “the worst form of nanny state regulation” which would treat “consenting adults like children”.

“If you’re old enough to vote, drive a car, join the Army and purchase alcohol, you’re old enough to buy cigarettes and other tobacco products,” he said.

“Declaring war on tobacco will only drive future generations of adult smokers to the black market.The biggest benefactor from prohibition won't be public health but criminal gangs and other illicit traders.

“Given everything else that is going on in the world, at home and abroad, it’s staggering that a Conservative government would waste valuable parliamentary time banning the sale of tobacco to adults who are perfectly capable of making informed decisions for themselves."

Union chief laments 'missed opportunity'

Prospect union general secretary Mike Clancy said: “This King’s Speech was a missed opportunity to show working people that the Government understands the pressures of inflation, wages and living costs over the past few years.

“There was nothing in this speech to deliver the jobs, investment and hope that the country needs either to tackle the cost-of-living crisis or create new opportunities in science, technology and engineering.

“This is now clearly a lame duck administration for workplace rights. Working people will need to look to beyond the next election for any hope of improvement.”

Renters face 'unfair, unexpected evictions' thanks to reform delay

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s principal policy adviser Darren Baxter said: “By pressing ahead with the long-delayed Renters’ Reform Bill the Government is finally honouring its commitment to millions of tenants living in an insecure, high cost private rented sector, who will hope that this time the bill will finally become law.

“But its open ended delay to ending no fault evictions means renters will continue to face unfair, unexpected evictions.

“As we approach the Autumn Statement and the general election, the public want to see real action, not rhetoric, to tackle rising levels of severe hardship. We now need all parties to set out their plans for a future where everyone in our country can at least afford to keep warm, dry, clean and fed.

“As an immediate measure, the Government must commit to uprating benefits in line with inflation in the usual way, and end the uncertainty facing millions of families.”

Green MP says 'bury zombie government'

Green Party MP Caroline Lucas said: “When people are crying out for a serious legislative agenda – to reduce the cost of living, tackle the climate emergency and guarantee warm and secure homes – what we got instead was government by gimmick.

“The PM's plans for annual oil and gas licensing round won’t improve our energy security or cut energy bills, as his own Energy Secretary accidentally admitted yesterday – but they will wreck our climate and lead to this Government handing over billions in tax breaks to already mega-rich fossil fuel giants.

“Also caught in the crosshairs of Sunak’s culture wars, a whole host of vital legislative measures were shamefully omitted – ditching the long overdue ‘conversion therapy’ ban, and an end to no-fault evictions being fudged. And the King must have found the PM’s words sticking in his throat as he had to read out a catalogue of nature-wrecking measures in this speech – which we know this issue is so close to his heart, but clearly couldn’t be further from his Government’s.

‘This King’s Speech – full of gimmicks and cynical political game-playing – shows that Rishi Sunak has no intention to govern the country. His zombie Government deserves to be buried – only a general election now will end this damage once and for all.”

More oil and gas licences 'not the answer'

End Fuel Poverty Coalition coordinator Simon Francis said: "The Government is running out of gas both figuratively and literally.

"There was nothing in the King's Speech which will help people stay warm this winter - no mention of an emergency energy tariff for vulnerable households nor a Help to Repay scheme for the record numbers currently in energy debt.

"Meanwhile, the Government's plan to award more oil and gas licences is not the answer, what we need is much more investment in insulation and homegrown renewables. In fact, the past 13 years and hundreds of North Sea licences have yielded just 16 days worth of gas coming onto the grid, not enough to keep people warm every winter."

Country 'crying out for change', say Lib Dems

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: “The country is crying out for change and hope for a brighter future, instead all Rishi Sunak had to offer was cheap gimmicks and reheated policies.

“There was nothing but empty words on the biggest issues facing the country, from the NHS crisis to the sewage scandal. There were no real solutions for patients left waiting months in pain for treatment, homeowners seeing their mortgages sky-rocket or communities seeing their local rivers ruined by sewage.

“It shows the Conservative Government is out of touch, out of ideas and deserves to be kicked out of office.”

Welsh nationalists blast Speech as 'distraction by desperate government'

Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts said: "This King's Speech was a distraction by a desperate government. People want their politicians to focus on solutions to the UK inequality crisis, but this Government is more concerned with culture war obsessions.

"We had yet more empty promises on crime and sentencing, despite prisons being full and the Prison and Probation Service budget 11% lower in real terms than in 2010-11. People simply won't believe this hard line on crime and justice when the Tories have had 13 years to improve things and have evidently failed.

"Ahead of this King's Speech, Plaid Cymru published a fair and ambitious plan for Wales, focused on putting more money in people's pockets by creating a fairer and more efficient welfare system, bringing down energy bills, and changing the way Wales is funded. We would also lay the foundations for a brighter future by bringing natural resources under full Welsh control through devolving the Crown Estate to the people of Wales. That’s the sort of ambition people in Wales need – not the empty distraction we heard today.”

Friends of the Earth reacts to King's Speech

Jamie Peters, climate coordinator at Friends of the Earth, said: If there was a prize for political posturing, Rishi Sunak would win best in show. The King’s Speech offered few surprises and very little of substance in yet another display of clickbait politics. His continued obsession with undermining green policies is out of step with voters of all stripes who want to protect the environment for future generations and left nothing to inspire hope among the millions of people facing another winter of sky-high energy bills.

“With the cost-of-living crisis deepening and the climate and nature emergencies accelerating, Sunak could have used this moment to set out strong laws to boost the economy, cut harmful emissions and bring down our energy bills for good. Instead, the Prime Minister chose to side with the fossil fuel industry by offering more handouts – even if largely symbolic – at a time when so many people are struggling to make ends meet. The fact remains that more North Sea oil and gas will do nothing to reduce bills or improve energy security.

“Aside from this blatant injustice, recent polling tells us that delaying vital climate and environmental action remains deeply unpopular. The PM has preached pragmatism, but it’s his lack of long-term thinking and misjudgment of the public mood that could cost him dearly at next year’s election.”

Here's what the new laws announced in the King's Speech mean for you

The nasty bits - and what's missing

Rishi Sunak has drawn up a list of 20 planned new laws, but the blueprint announced in the King's Speech doesn't include promised bans on trophy hunting and conversion therapy

And that's it

The first King's Speech for more than seven decades is over and the Lord Chancellor has retrieved the text from the King.

There are 20 Bills and one Draft Bill in all and we will be bringing you analysis of what they mean for you - as well as what's missing.

'Tougher sentences for the most serious offenders'

The King is now onto the bit the Government is most keen to highlight - it's law and order measures.

Conservatives hope to draw dividing lines with Labour on criminal justice policies and Tory ministers have put these at the heart of their legislative plans.

'Trade agreements with dynamic economies'

The King says negotiating more trade agreements following Brexit will provide growth and boost the economy.

Boost for skills

"Steps will be taken to ensure young people have the knowledge and skills to succeed," says the King, as he focuses on education measures

'Significant long term challenges'

The King references the ongoing fallout from the coronavirus pandemic and the war in Ukraine as he warns the country faces "significant long-term challenges".

He says "my ministers" will continue to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and "reduce public sector debt", which has soared.

King Charles pays tribute to his mother

At the beginning of the address, the King made reference to Queen Elizabeth II.

"It is mindful of the legacy of service and devotion to this country set by My beloved Mother, The late Queen, that I deliver this, the first King's Speech in over 70 years," he said.

The Queen died last September shortly after Liz Truss became PM.

(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Sunak and Starmer's awkward smiles

The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer have walked out of the Commons chamber together.

They are processing through Central Lobby to the Lords, exchanging anecdotes.

The PM appears very animated with Mr Starmer listening intently.

(Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

Black Rod knocks on door of the Commons

Black Rod Sarah Clarke has now knocked on the doors of the Commons and is walking towards the Table.

She is summoning MPs to the Upper House, led by the Serjeant at Arms and Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle.

King enters Lords wearing robes

King Charles III has now entered the House of Lords and is wearing the Imperial State Crown and the full robes.

The Queen is sitting on his left and he has just told peers to sit.

MPs gather in the Commons

MPs are sitting on the green leather benches in the elected chamber, waiting to be summoned to the Upper House.

The mace is not on the Table and the Speaker is not in the chair, so the House isn't formally sitting.

Meanwhile, in the Lords the peers and invited dignitaries are seated awaiting the monarch's arrival.

King and Queen arrive at Parliament

Charles and Camilla have now arrived at the Palace of Westminster where he will deliver the first King's Speech of his reign.

The Royal Standard is being raised over the Victoria Tower at the southern end of Parliament to signify that the monarch is in residence.

A 41-gun salute has begun in Green Park to mark his arrival.

Youngest ever peer Charlotte Owen among those gathering in House of Lords

Peers have packed into the House of Lords chamber to hear King Charles set out the list of laws the Government wants to pass before the next election.

Among the hundreds assembled in their distinctive ermine robes is Charlotte Owen, who became the youngest-ever peer after being rewarded on Boris Johnson's controversial resignation honours list.

Critics have questioned why the 30-year-old has been given a seat in the Lords.

(PA)

King and Queen leave Buckingham Palace

King Charles III and Queen Camilla have departed Buckingham Palace for the Houses of Pariament for the first King's Speech in 72 years.

(PA)

Pageantry accelerating as countdown continues

There's not long to go now until the King arrives in Parliament.

Other dignitaries are already en route to the Palace of Westminster and the monarch is about to leave Buckingham Palace.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Procession underway

Horses and carriages are already travelling down The Mall from Buckignham Palace.

But the King himself is still inside the Royal residence.

Some of the more extravagant carriages have just arrived and we are expecting the monarch to depart the Palace shortly.

(PA)

Guardsmen gather in Palace precincts

Television pictures have just shown dozens of troops in their long grey overcoats and bearskin hats assembled outside Buckingham Palace.

It's a crisp, dry, bright morning in Westminster as the pageantry begins.

Hundreds of peers clad in red ermine are packed into the House of Lords, 50 minutes before the King delivers his long-awaited speech.