King Charles III and Queen Camilla leave Buckingham Palace ahead of the Opening of Parliament on July 17, 2024 in London, England.
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LONDON – The United Kingdom’s new Labor government on Wednesday outlined a package of proposed legislation that would include nationalizing rail operators and creating a publicly owned clean electricity company.
In a speech delivered by King Charles III on behalf of the administration, he said the government is “committed to a clean energy transition that will reduce bills for consumers over time”, and said it would establish Great British Energy, headquartered in Scotland. Help accelerate investment in renewable energy such as offshore wind.
The text lists a wide range of projects, many of which have already been announced. Labor said it would reform planning rules to speed up infrastructure projects and housebuilding, strengthen the powers of the UK’s water regulator, give the police more powers to tackle anti-social behavior and remove existing tax relief on private school fees to fund new teachers. .
A pledge for economic growth was again front and center in the speech, described in the opening lines as a “fundamental mission” that would help the country move on from the cost-of-living crisis.
“The government will seek to establish appropriate legislation to put requirements on those working to develop more powerful artificial intelligence models,” Charles said, referring to general-purpose AI systems developed by the likes of Microsoft-backed OpenAI.
Members of the House of Lords wait in their ceremonial red robes for the start of the State Opening of Parliament at the House of Lords on July 17, 2024 in London, England.
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In a long-standing tradition, the monarch sets out the new government’s policy agenda following a lavish state opening of parliament. Earlier in the morning, the King and Queen Camilla traveled from Buckingham Palace to Westminster in a horse-drawn carriage.
The speech is written by the government and delivered by the monarch, the head of state of England who in modern times exercises only symbolic political power. Speech is a statement of intent and is not legally binding.
The centre-left Labor party won a large parliamentary majority earlier this month, wresting control from the right-wing Conservatives for the first time in 14 years.
The government also said it was committed to gradually raising the legal smoking age and cracking down on the sale of vape products.
Members of the Household Cavalry arrive at Buckingham Palace ahead of the Opening of Parliament on July 17, 2024 in London, England.
Jeff Spicer | Getty Images News | Good pictures
Other policies outlined in Wednesday’s speech include a bill to facilitate sustainable jet fuel production, measures to reduce National Health Service waiting times, a ban on “exploitative work practices” and strengthening audits and corporate governance.
The text described devolution – independent powers given to the UK’s various nations – as “the heart of a modern, dynamic economy”.
London’s Metropolitan Police said on Wednesday morning that they had arrested 10 people suspected of planning to disrupt the event.
— CNBC’s Ryan Brown contributed to this story.
