King’s Speech sets out plan for Energy Independence Bill

Government commits to renewable and nuclear energy

Recent events in the Middle East have shown that energy independence must be a long-term goal of national security. Reform of the energy sector is thus one of the key planks of the UK government’s legislative ambitions.

King Charles set out the Labour government’s law-making plans for the coming year in a speech to the House of Lords. 

The King's Speech outlined 37 bills minsters want to pass in the next parliamentary session, including eight previously introduced to Parliament. 

Besides action on energy there will be bills to abolish NHS England, create a new rail watchdog, limit trials by jury, introduce digital ID, and to end leasehold property ownership in England and Wales, while a European Partnership Bill contains powers to fast-track legislation to deliver new agreements with the EU.

The day before the King’s Speech, 10 Downing Street stated: “We need to get off the fossil fuel rollercoaster with clean, homegrown power we control and electrification of our wider economy.”

The UK government will introduce an Energy Independence Bill to scale-up homegrown renewable energy and protect living standards.

The King’s Speech highlighted the interconnected challenges of economic security and the cost of living.

The King said: “My ministers believe that energy independence must be a long-term goal of national security and that the nation’s energy security requires long-term investment and reform, as demonstrated by recent events in the Middle East. 

“Increased production of clean British energy will help to ensure that enemies of the United Kingdom cannot attack the economic security of the British people. 

“My ministers will therefore introduce an Energy Independence Bill to scale-up homegrown renewable energy and protect living standards for the long-term.

“My ministers will also take forward recommendations of the Nuclear Regulatory Review and encourage a new era of British nuclear energy generation.”

The Energy Independence Bill will introduce new energy efficiency requirements for rented homes, and give ministers new powers to target energy bill support at low-income and vulnerable households.

The tax charged on the excess profits made by electricity generation companies will be increased under a Electricity Generator Levy Bill.

The process for approving new nuclear energy projects will be streamlined in a Nuclear Regulation Bill.

Elsewhere in the realm of utilities, the Clean Water Bill will merge the functions of several existing regulators, including Ofwat, in a bid to end the "fragmented oversight" over the privatised water sector.

In the transport arena, a Railways and Passenger Benefits Bill will create a new watchdog to enforce passenger rights and consolidate the 14 existing operator websites.

The Northern Powerhouse Rail Bill, a renamed version of an old HS2 bill, will detail a new rail route from Manchester to Millington via Manchester Airport.

The financing model used to fund nuclear projects will be extended to new road projects in England through the Highways (Financing) Bill

A Civil Aviation Bill will create powers over take-off and landing slots at airports.

A Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Bill will set out plans for a national database of all licensed taxis and hire vehicles in order to improve passenger safety.

The speeach also outlined an Overnight Visitor Levy Bill will give local mayors in England powers to levy tourist taxes on overnight stays, powers available to local leaders in Wales and Scotland.

The government is seeking powers to deliver a new voluntary digital ID scheme to access public services are contained in a Digital Access to Services Bill.

A Cyber Security and Resilience Bill will bring data centres into scope of the UK's cyber security reporting regime.

A Police Reform Bill will plans to create larger forces in England and Wales, and create a new national force to investigate serious crimes.

Plans to scale back the use of jury trials in England and Wales are contained in a Courts Modernisation Bill.

The government’s first session of Parliament delivered 50 government bills, including the Children and Wellbeing Act, Employment Rights Act, the Great British Energy Act, the Renters’ Rights Act and the Planning and Infrastructure Act.