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Starmer's government plans 35 bills for parliament opening

Legislation will include a bill to enforce new spending rules and strengthen the role of the independent Office of Budget Responsibility.

Starmer's government plans 35 bills for parliament opening

The new government is preparing over 35 bills for the formal start of the parliamentary year on Wednesday and has placed economic growth at the centre of its agenda, Keir Starmer's office said.

Starmer, who ended 14 years of Conservative rule earlier this month with a decisive election win for his Labour Party, stated that his government's goals are to deliver stability, boost growth, and create wealth across the country.


Legislation will include a bill to enforce new spending rules and strengthen the role of the independent Office of Budget Responsibility, ensuring that significant fiscal announcements will be properly scrutinised, the statement from his office said.

"Our work is urgent. There is no time to waste," said Starmer, who has returned to Britain after attending the NATO summit last week in his first major international meeting as the country's leader.

"We are hitting the ground running by bringing forward the laws we will need to rebuild our country for the long term – and our ambitious, fully costed agenda is the downpayment on that change."

Within days of taking office as the country’s first female finance minister after the election, Rachel Reeves set out plans to increase house building, unblock infrastructure projects, and attract private investment.

Through a new National Wealth Fund, the government aims to attract private capital into emerging and growing industries to support growth and meet net-zero commitments.

The State Opening of Parliament is the only regular occasion when the three constituent parts of Parliament – the Sovereign, the House of Lords, and the elected House of Commons – meet.

The pomp and ceremony tend to attract large crowds and a significant TV audience.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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Falklands sovereignty row erupts days before King Charles meets Trump

No 10 was quick to respond, with the prime minister's spokesman saying the government "could not be clearer" on its stance

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Falklands sovereignty row erupts days before King Charles meets Trump

Highlights

  • A Pentagon email reported by Reuters suggested the US was considering reviewing its support for UK sovereignty over the Falklands.
  • Downing Street said sovereignty "rests with the UK" and the islanders' right to self-determination is "paramount".
  • Report emerged just three days before King Charles and Queen Camilla are due to meet Trump at the White House.
A report suggesting the US may be rethinking its position on the Falkland Islands has sparked a strong response from Downing Street, coming just days before King Charles and Queen Camilla head to Washington to meet president Donald Trump.
An internal Pentagon email, reported by Reuters, suggested the US was looking at ways to put pressure on Nato allies it felt had not supported its war in Iran.
One of the options discussed was a review of American backing for British sovereignty over the Falklands.
No 10 was quick to respond, with the prime minister's spokesman saying the government "could not be clearer" on its stance.
"Sovereignty rests with the UK and the islanders' right to self-determination is paramount," he told BBC, adding that this had been "expressed clearly and consistently to successive US administrations."
He was firm that "nothing is going to change that."
The Falkland Islands government backed London's position, saying it had "complete confidence" in the UK's commitment to defending its right to self-determination.
Previous US administrations have recognised Britain's administration of the islands but have stopped short of formally backing its sovereignty claim.

Political reaction grows

The report triggered sharp reactions from across British politics. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the reported US position "absolute nonsense", adding: "We need to make sure that we back the Falklands.

They are British territory." Reform UK's Nigel Farage said the matter was "utterly non-negotiable" and confirmed he would raise it with Argentina's president Javier Milei when they meet later this year.

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