the impact of covid and the war in ukraine have created significant long—term challenges for the united kingdom. that is why my government's priority is to make the difficult but necessary long—term decisions to change this country for the better. there was an announcement of a bill to issue annual extraction licences for oil and gas, and a focus on crime, including previously announced measures. my government will act to keep communities safe from crime, anti—social behaviour, terrorism and illegal migration. a bill will be brought forward to ensure tougher sentences for the most serious offenders and increase the confidence of victims. there was a promise to make it easier for leasehold homeowners to buy their freeholds and to tackle service charges, and a return for the renters reform bill, which was in the last queen's speech. there was also a measure which rishi sunak has set as a personal goal. my government will introduce legislation to create a smoke—free generation by restricting the sale of tobacco, so that children currently aged 1a or younger can never be sold cigarettes. this king's speech could be rishi sunak�*s last chance mr suna k�*s last chance to push through his agenda. labour says the whole speech suggests the government has run out of ideas. this isn't a legislative programme for a year, we could get all of this done in a fortnight and then have a general election. we haven't even talked about the crime and justice bill, _ which is far from being a one—clause or two—clause bill, _ as chris bryant was - erroneously suggesting. this will be a substantial piece of legislation, _ setting out how we're - going to protect the public. it's a load of gimmicks. nonsense. it's not working, there are real issues. the government needs to be clear that it is absolutely behind its climate change commitments and give confidence to the renewables industry. the liberal democrats say there wasn't enough on the nhs or sewage, and criticised the crime bills. on criminaljustice, we know that system is creaking at the seams, but the government seem to want to add more to it, rather than necessarily helping the police and the criminaljustice system more widely deliver. frankly, it seems like they're waiting for a general election. maybe they should just get on and deliver one. this speech is certainly part of preparing the ground for that election, as well as setting out what mps will be focusing on in the run—up. helen catt, bbc news, westminster. that's what played out here in westminster. but now the real work begins — the politics and putting some of those promises into action. this afternoon, mps began debating. mps will then finally vote on it. but what happens is much of a formality. as is traditional, the labour leader spoke for the prime minister. sir keir starmer told mps that the plans we heard were more of the same from a government he said was desperately trying to save its own skin. take a listen. britain sees today that they offer no change on public services, no change on the cost of living crisis and no change to the economic model that has failed to give workin people the security and opportunity model that has failed to give working people the security and opportunity that they deserve. hear, hear. because, mr speaker, that is the change that britain needs, and today was a missed opportunity. we needed a king's speech that would draw a line under 13 years of tory decline, a king's speech for national renewal and a serious plan for growth. that's what sir keir starmer had to say. criticising the content that lacking ambition. this speech, even though it's delivered by the king, is written by the government. the prime minister praised the king's speech and critised labour's economic plans, which he described as �*dangerous'. let me also thank the leader of the opposition of the his contribution to this debate and indeed, his first u—turn of it. as a former republican, he used to think this country shouldn't even have a king's speech. but at least that is one u—turn the whole country will welcome. now, the right honourable gentlemen is prone to changing his position but in fairness, his speech did strike a few consistent notes — higher inflation, more strikes, more immigration and higher borrowing. the party opposite�*s plan to unnecessarily borrow £28 billion more every year and give in to inflation—busting pay demands from their union paymasters is dangerous. so, the prime minister made of it all. with me now, helen catt. let's talk about the contents of the speech. already, a lot of criticism. it's just more of the same, say labour. of the prime minister says this is a plan for britain. he says there's more to come and these are the immediate priorities. it's about what is achievable in the next year was yellow this is the programme for the was yellow this is the programme fr?" the final year of a parliament. there is a bit of time constraint within that. there are 21 bills in this king �*s speech that we saw. having said that, but a third of them are bills that have either been previously published in some way or they have been already carried over. they're not all starting from scratch. there is a time limit on that, but as he also said, there is some criticism that together, they don't amount to a very ambitious picture, according to some of the criticisms. there was a reality about this idea of trying to paint a sort of vision.— sort of vision. we've been looking at the numbers. _ sort of vision. we've been looking at the numbers. the _ sort of vision. we've been looking at the numbers. the lowest - sort of vision. we've been looking at the numbers. the lowest since | at the numbers. the lowest since 2014. what we expect at this point in the electoral cycle to hear something a bit more ambitious, a bit more grand, ahead of what next year will be a general election? this is the last king's speech before a general election, so what you probably wouldn't expect the government to start some massive programme of reform. this was very clearly setting the ground for a general election and trying to draw some of those dividing lines because the government wrote the speech. it is trying to draw some lines between itself and labour. some of these things clearly do that. the speech announced earlier there would be these new annual licensing grounds. that is a clear dividing line. labour has been doing the same. if you listen to sir keir starmer�*s response to the king's speech, he was pointing to the measures in this bill about renters�* reform. he saying that�*s all well and good, but the need is more house building and painting labour is a party that�*s going to build more homes. he�*s been using the speech in the same way to draw his own dividing lines of. the prime minister is very keen to point out these are issues that matter to voters. they�*re very domestic issues. i�*m thinking around crime and sentencing. greater powers for police, for example, to cease stolen goods without a warrant. headlines have been made about criminals facing their sentencing, so to turn up facing their sentencing, so to turn up at court. facing their sentencing, so to turn up at court-— facing their sentencing, so to turn u- at court. , , , , up at court. there is huge pressure because we — up at court. there is huge pressure because we had _ up at court. there is huge pressure because we had a _ up at court. there is huge pressure because we had a couple _ up at court. there is huge pressure because we had a couple of- because we had a couple of high—profile cases this year where people who have been convicted of crimes — lucy letby, for example — who refused to go to court. the government pledged that it was going to try and bring forward legislation to try and bring forward legislation to force them to face that. i think as far as we understand, you can use some sort of force to convey all them to do that. but if they don�*t, perhaps they could face a couple years to their sentence. those measures the government have pledge, the other one you referred to was the other one you referred to was the introduction of whole life orders for murders which have a sadistic or sexual element to them. those were measures that the government had previously said it was going to do, but they have put into this bill. it does feel like a real effort to try and gain ground and law and order. law and order is usually really big part of that. it does feel like there is a bit of a pitch there. does feel like there is a bit of a pitch there-— does feel like there is a bit of a itch there. .,, ., ._ , ., ., pitch there. helen, as always, good to have you — pitch there. helen, as always, good to have you with _ pitch there. helen, as always, good to have you with us. _ pitch there. helen, as always, good to have you with us. thanks - pitch there. helen, as always, good to have you with us. thanks very . to have you with us. thanks very much. it�*s particularly talking about crime and sentencing. that�*s one of the key issues that has been front and centre in this king �*s speech. as helen was mentioning, under those proposals, offenders who commit murder that have a sexual or sadistic motive. they will spend the rest the lives in prison. they will be no longer eligible for early release. we can talk now with the aunt of zara alina. thank you for being with us. talk to me about what we heard today. maybe some of this coming too late. becoming cannot be worse, butjust explain the significance of what we�*ve heard. {iii significance of what we've heard. of course, we wholeheartedly support the measures for stringent sentencing in cases of rape and sexually motivated murder. it�*s what we�*ve been campaigning for, and also to force criminals to attend their sentencing. we�*ve been championing this throughout our campaigns. we hope for these new measures to be implemented effectively with the support of legal community and prison staff. it sends a powerful message to potential offenders, and these are significant deterrence. these are very important measures, and unfortunately it�*s regrettable that such measures weren�*t in place in zara�*s case, when ironically, three days ago, the man who murdered her received a reduction for a sexually motivated murder. that seems totally bizarre. and we... but you know, we have to move forward and we�*re focusing on zara�*s legacy, which is a driving force for reshaping how society protects women. we�*re focused on our campaign and preserving her memory. but what we would�*ve liked to have seen also in the king�*s speech would have been early intervention, measures to prevent crime, deterrence are important once we get to the end. but it�*s early intervention, as we all know, education and measures put in for younger people. prison changing cultures... it�*s those that make an impact and prevent the murders in the first place. of course, we support deterrence and they�*re very powerful as well. tiara they're very powerful as well. two thin . s they're very powerful as well. two things you've _ they're very powerful as well. two things you've raised there that i things you�*ve raised there that i would like to talk about tonight. the first, given the timing of this, it�*s regrettable that it wasn�*t in place in the case sentencing of zara�*s murder. talk to me about the difference it would have made and how it could have changed the outcome in the sentencing of zara�*s murder. outcome in the sentencing of zara's murder. ~ , ., , , outcome in the sentencing of zara's murder. ~ , ., ,, ., , , ., outcome in the sentencing of zara's murder. ~ , ., ,, ., murder. well, perhaps the appeal was successful in — murder. well, perhaps the appeal was successful in reducing _ murder. well, perhaps the appeal was successful in reducing his _ murder. well, perhaps the appeal was successful in reducing his sentence - successful in reducing his sentence in... i�*m surprised that they were reduced because i�*m sure the legal community were aware of these measures, as i was a couple of months ago. so, we�*ve known about them, so it�*s interesting that the judges on the appeal decided to support the defence counsel. it�*s very interesting that happened. have these measures been in place, he would�*ve been forced to attend his sentencing and we would�*ve seen justice being done — and notjust us, but society itself, which regains some face in the justice system —— faith. he would have had a life sentence and not a minimum sentence included within that. we all say, life for life. there would�*ve been some thought put into the fact that it was a sexual motivated murder, which does need extreme sentencing because of the sadistic nature involved as well and the malintent. and i think it would�*ve made a huge difference to us and otherfamilies would�*ve made a huge difference to us and other families like us would�*ve made a huge difference to us and otherfamilies like us in terms of feeling that the justice system supports the victims, because that�*s what it�*s about, isn�*t it? the symbol of justice that�*s what it�*s about, isn�*t it? the symbol ofjustice is the scales, and the scales have to be rebalanced, and that�*s what we want to see. somehow, they�*re not rebalanced yet. so, certainly not in our case, but we are very grateful that changes are happening and we do feel the hope while we continue to campaign, that our voices will be heard, that zara�*s legacy will be upheld and we will continue to make more change and for the change. it�*s more change and for the change. it's aood more change and for the change. it's good to have you with us tonight. thank you for talking so passionately. i know your campaign will go on. some important changes that really will make a difference. that will be zara�*s legacy. championing and safeguarding women. and sentencing on court of being. thank you for being with us, farah. so much was discussed in the speech, also to of issues identified. we talked about some of them — energy, housing, cost of living. also crime and sentencing. but where does any of this leave the government as we approach what will be a general election year? we know we have to go to the polls before january of 2025. expectation is a general election could take place maybe in the spring or in the autumn of next year, so where does that leave both the conservatives and the labour party and the liberal democrats. let�*s talk to joe twyman. co—founder of deltapoll. joe, could have with us. give us your assessment on what we�*ve heard so far. the government laying out his plans for the year ahead, but how do voters see it? the government has set out its — how do voters see it? the government has set out its priorities _ how do voters see it? the government has set out its priorities in _ how do voters see it? the government has set out its priorities in a _ how do voters see it? the government has set out its priorities in a host - has set out its priorities in a host of different areas, and i imagine this will make pretty much no difference to the polling. you see, most people, the average person on the streets and 50% of people less engaged is not paying much attention to the detail. while particular policies such as that on whole life orders may prove popular with the general public, it�*s not the case that that will on its own be enough to bring about the kind of change in the overall pulling that the government wishes to see. up until now, the government has been around about 20 points behind. in the polls, that�*s been the case for a number of weeks. they have to go back to september 2022, the last time the conservatives were not behind by double figures. you have to go back to december 2021 for the last time they weren�*t behind at all. so the situation is difficult for them going into an election year. is an opportunity for them to get some attention, but as i say, it�*s a difficult asked to get people to change their minds at this stage. there wasn�*t much in the speech today that i think a guarantee that kind of change. jae. today that i think a guarantee that kind of change.— today that i think a guarantee that kind of change. joe, the things that do tend to break _ kind of change. joe, the things that do tend to break through, - kind of change. joe, the things that do tend to break through, it's - kind of change. joe, the things that | do tend to break through, it's about do tend to break through, it�*s about a government looking like as an issue in hand whether that�*s the economy, law and order. it�*s not necessarily about individual policies, it�*s about what collectively they tell us. where do the parties sit on those big issues? what does your pulling tell you about where labour in the conservatives are strongest right now? . �* , �* , conservatives are strongest right now? that's right, it's about narratives. _ now? that's right, it's about narratives. which _ now? that's right, it's about narratives. which party - now? that's right, it's about narratives. which party can l now? that's right, it's about i narratives. which party can be effective, which can be trusted, which will be right for people and which will be right for people and which will be right for people and which will concentrate on the main issues. the main issue at the moment issues. the main issue at the moment is the cost of living, and it�*s topped by some distance. labour are well ahead on the issue of the cost of living, as they are an economic management, as they are on most issues. that�*s the real difficulty for conservatives at the moment. not only are they — in deltapoll�*s more recent figures, 21% behind... keir starmer as well ahead of rishi sunak. basically any issue you can care to look at. not underlying data is a real problem for the conservatives. they hope to change the picture with events and the pomp and circumstance of today as they will be the autumn statement. as each day goes past and that continues, the challenge facing the conservatives complete rosa. joe. conservatives complete rosa. joe, really good — conservatives complete rosa. joe, really good have — conservatives complete rosa. joe, really good have you with us. thanks very much. we are joined really good have you with us. thanks very much. we arejoined by bob seeley. good evening. we are talking about some of the challenges facing your party right now. behind in the polls, laying out your plans for your next term and for the next preliminary year. there�*s a lot of work to do. for preliminary year. there's a lot of work to do— preliminary year. there's a lot of work to do. ., , ~ ~' ., �* work to do. for sure. we know we're behind, and — work to do. for sure. we know we're behind, and our— work to do. for sure. we know we're behind, and our supporters - work to do. for sure. we know we're behind, and our supporters set - work to do. for sure. we know we're behind, and our supporters set on i behind, and our supporters set on the hands on two by—elections. labour�*s that increase was very small in the recent elections. it�*s not a question of a massive swing to labour. what we are seeing is conservative voters sitting on their hands. we have to do stuff not only for the short—term, but also for the long—term. ai, driverless cars — this is for the long term. the trade bill for the court, these are big long—term things. notjust going to be important for the country for the next few years, but for the next 10-30 next few years, but for the next 10—30 years. next few years, but for the next 10-30 years— 10-30 years. you a voter set on their hands. — 10-30 years. you a voter set on their hands, why? _ 10-30 years. you a voter set on their hands, why? why - 10-30 years. you a voter set on their hands, why? why were . 10-30 years. you a voter set on i their hands, why? why were they 10-30 years. you a voter set on - their hands, why? why were they not motivated? —— you said voters. irate motivated? -- you said voters. we would be motivated? —— you said voters. - would be all here... motivated? -- you said voters. we would be all here... crosstalk i would be all here... crosstalk the lowest _ would be all here... crosstalk the lowest number _ would be all here... crosstalk the lowest number of _ would be all here... crosstalk the lowest number of new - would be all here... crosstalkj the lowest number of new bills, presenters and that speech today, seven of which were... 21 presenters and that speech today, seven of which were. . .— seven of which were... 21 bills is uuite a seven of which were... 21 bills is quite a few- _ seven of which were... 21 bills is quite a few. it's _ seven of which were... 21 bills is quite a few. it's the _ seven of which were... 21 bills is quite a few. it's the lowest - seven of which were... 21 bills is i quite a few. it's the lowest number since 2014, — quite a few. it's the lowest number since 2014, seven _ quite a few. it's the lowest number since 2014, seven of _ quite a few. it's the lowest number since 2014, seven of which - quite a few. it's the lowest number since 2014, seven of which were i since 2014, seven of which were carried over from since 2014, seven of which were carried overfrom previous announcements. you�*ve got to excite the electorate. they�*re not going to vote for you if they don�*t care about what you propose. the idea that people sat on their hands, because they didn�*t want to come out and vote, because you didn�*t give them anything to vote for. that�*s fair? 1 them anything to vote for. that's fair? ~ . �* , them anything to vote for. that's fair? ~ ., �* , ., them anything to vote for. that's fair? ~ ., �*, ., , fair? i think that's fair, but quite critical, but _ fair? i think that's fair, but quite critical, but i'm _ fair? i think that's fair, but quite critical, but i'm not— fair? i think that's fair, but quite critical, but i'm not sitting i fair? i think that's fair, but quite critical, but i'm not sitting there| critical, but i�*m not sitting there saying you�*re wrong. we have a job to do and nobody is doubting that. what we are doing is hopefully laying out that process. this is not a manifesto, so this is a bill. i�*m really proud of that direction and i think it�*s a great direction. we�*re talking about either crime or ai, they�*re great things. the focus on a printed shift is so important in a place like this, where we have a maritime and aerospace cluster. we need that souped up turbocharger apprentice programme rather than necessarily universally degrees. there are things i�*ve been campaigning on for years. which is important, but also stuff about how you can control and how you ensure that you don�*t have actors using surreptitious influences. the stuff that�*s important and moral, the holocaust bill, we need that more than ever sadly now. such is the football regulators... the labour party are saying... very negative terms. i still have the foggiest what keir starmer stands for. ilirui’e’iiii what keir starmer stands for. we'll talk about the _ what keir starmer stands for. we'll talk about the prime _ what keir starmer stands for. we'll talk about the prime minister, who says this is about immediate priorities. he says morejobs, more investments, higher growth. we know that long—term plans for the country are important, but the problem is you may not have very long, you may if you can�*t deliver any of these, what�*s the point? if you can't deliver any of these, what's the point?— if you can't deliver any of these, what's the point? you're saying we can't do anything _ what's the point? you're saying we can't do anything because - what's the point? you're saying we can't do anything because there's i what's the point? you're saying we. can't do anything because there's an can�*t do anything because there�*s an election coming up? we know there�*s election coming up? we know there�*s election coming up? we know there�*s election coming up. it could even be january 2025 technically, so we can�*t not govern, and i think it is important. 0ne can�*t not govern, and i think it is important. one of the things that rishi sunak has said is that we have to make long—term you�*re watching bbc news. benjamin netanyahu benjamin neta nyahu says benjamin netanyahu says his country will assume responsibility for security in gaza after the war. king charles delivers his first speech at the state 0pening charles delivers his first speech at the state opening of parliament, and thousands of women are offered a drug that will reduce breast cancer. just some breaking news. the israel defence minister is holding a press conference, saying that idf forces are in the heart of gaza city. he�*s also said that the hamas leader is isolated in his bunker. he says hostages must be returned before there�*s any humanitarian pause. the saying hostages must be return force. now it�*s time for the sport with gavin.