Image: Parliament Live TV
The King delivered the King’s Speech to Parliament today (13 May) as political pressure continued to mount on Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with calls growing for him to resign following Labour’s poor performance in recent local elections.
Against the backdrop of escalating conflict between the US and Iran, the Government used the speech to place energy security and economic resilience at the centre of its legislative agenda.
Opening the speech, the King warned that “an increasingly dangerous and volatile world threatens the UK,” adding that “every element of the nation’s energy, defence and economic security will be tested.”
A central measure announced was the proposed Energy Independence Bill, which the King said would “scale up homegrown renewable energy and protect living standards for the long term.”
The King also said ministers believed that “energy independence must be a long-term goal of national security,” while arguing that “increased production of clean British energy will help to ensure that enemies of the UK cannot attack the economic security of the British people.”
Nuclear power featured prominently in the speech, with the King confirming that ministers would implement recommendations from the Nuclear Regulatory Review.
The Government also reaffirmed its climate position internationally, with the King saying the UK would “remain a leading advocate for tackling climate change and achieving a world free from poverty.”
Energy Independence Bill
Labour first outlined plans for an Energy Independence Bill after entering government in 2024, linking it to its promise to make Britain a “clean energy superpower”, but the legislation has faced delays amid wider debates over infrastructure, planning reform and investment priorities.
The Energy Independence Bill is expected to include measures affecting energy brokers, a sector facing increasing scrutiny over transparency and standards.
John Haw, chair of the Energy Consultants Association, said regulation of brokers would represent “a major step forward for a sector that is 20 years behind where it should be.”
“Thousands of UK businesses rely on brokers to help them navigate an increasingly complex energy market, yet the sector still lacks the consistent standards, transparency and accountability expected in other regulated industries,” he said.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “After the second fossil fuel crisis in half a decade, our clean power mission is the only way to bring down bills for good and take back control of our energy.”
“The Energy Independence Bill is the next step in delivering on our mission – giving us the power we need to drive forward with clean power to cut bills, support families out of fuel poverty and deliver well-paid, secure jobs.”
The full details of the bill are expected to be published when it is introduced in Parliament.
Nature concerns
Nature was notably absent from the agenda. Environmental groups have criticised the limited focus on nature and biodiversity within the speech.
Michael Burgass, director of Biodiversify, said: “Nature underpins Britain’s productivity, food security and long-term economic stability. For it to be absent from today’s King’s Speech is a major omission.”
“You cannot credibly legislate for Britain’s long-term security while treating the natural systems that sustain it as an afterthought,” he added.
Campaigners have also raised concerns over the Government’s support for recommendations contained in the Nuclear Regulatory Review, also known as the Fingleton Review, which proposed accelerating nuclear development in the UK.
Nature organisations have argued that the review wrongly presents environmental protections as barriers to development and warned that some reforms could weaken safeguards for habitats and protected landscapes.
Friends of the Earth also criticised wider infrastructure plans included in the speech, particularly support for airport expansion.
Friends of the Earth campaigner Rosie Downes said: “Ploughing ahead with aviation expansion when it puts our climate goals at risk, and will contribute to worsening weather extremes that threaten communities and our economy, is beyond comprehension.”
The King’s Speech also included plans for a Water Reform Bill, which environmental groups have welcomed while calling for stronger measures to tackle pollution in rivers and seas.
