The UK’s new legislative agenda will build on economic growth measures, the Prime Minister’s Office says
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak chairs a Cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street in London on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. Kirsty Wigglesworth/Pool acquire licensing rights via REUTERS/FILE PHOTO
LONDON, Nov 4 (Reuters) – The British government’s new legislative agenda will build on its priority of growing the economy, securing energy independence and ensuring the U.K. secures “the benefits of Brexit,” its office said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Saturday.
The measures will also help “create the most competitive and supportive environment for businesses to benefit from new technologies.”
The agenda for the coming year will be set out in the monarch’s traditional speech to Parliament on Tuesday. It will be the first King’s Speech in 70 years, following the death of Queen Elizabeth in September last year.
Sunak hopes the start of the final term before elections expected next year will give his government a positive boost as he seeks to narrow the opposition Labor Party’s huge lead in the opinion polls.
“Just as I did on energy security, net zero, illegal migration and HS2, the King’s Speech will address the long-term decisions to address the challenges facing this country, not the easy way out with short-term gimmicks,” Sunak said in a statement released by his office.
“As we take the necessary steps to halve inflation and reduce debt, we will legislate to stimulate the economy by supporting innovative companies and protecting consumers.”
The HS2 (High Speed 2) railway is set to help boost economic growth in the UK. However, there have been delays and rising costs, and last month Sunak canceled part of the planned route to Manchester.
Sunak has argued that Britain’s exit from the European Union was not a failure, but seven years after Britain voted to leave, opinion polls show a majority of the public regret it.
The Bank of England said this week that the economy is on the verge of recession and will not see significant growth in the coming years, although economists say Brexit is not the sole cause of the problem.
Sunak’s office said the speech would also include a package of measures aimed at “strengthening our society and helping people feel safe in their communities.”
It said seven bills will be transferred to complete their passage in the next session, including the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill and the Privacy and Digital Information Bill, which will modernize regulation.
Earlier this week, Sunak hosted the first AI Safety Summit to discuss how and whether the technology’s risks can be mitigated.
The King’s speech comes ahead of Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement on November 22nd.
Reporting by James Davey; Edited by Clelia Oziel
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