What was in the King's Speech - and what was missing

Sir Keir Starmer’s Government has set out dozens of new bills in its second King’s Speech since winning the general election in July 2024, covering everything from energy to national security.

The King’s Speech formally opens a new session of parliament and sets out the Government’s legislative agenda for the year ahead.

It is written by ministers and delivered by the monarch at the State Opening of Parliament.

Why flights to Italy and Portugal have been cut to as low as £116

Who could be the next Bond as auditions begin

The 4 talking points from the China-US summit

The 350 richest people in the UK – revealed

What to know as student dies from meningitis in Berkshire

Cut price deals to lure passengers

Holidaymakers are being lured to popular European destinations with cheaper deals than last year despite warnings jet fuel shortages will send air fares soaring.

Europe flight prices dip from last year

Travellers can snap up deals to Spain, Portugal and Italy for less than the cost of a flight in 2025, according to data from airfare comparison site Kayak.

According to Kayak, the average price of a return flight from the UK to Faro in Portugal in the week ending 4 May this year was £139, down from £150 over the same period in 2025. The average cost of a return trip to Rome slumped 15 per cent, to £116.

More cheap trips available – for now

For flights to Barcelona, average prices fell as low as £108 this month, down from £131 last May.

Alicante is also cheaper, with airfares up to 4 May costing £122 compared with £126 in the same week last year.

War could spike prices

While industry insiders are not concerned about jet fuel supplies, prices will likely increase over time to absorb costs.

Higher prices to come

“There may be some instances where airlines will discount to stimulate some traffic flow… but over time it’s inevitable that the high price of oil will be reflected in higher ticket prices.” Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association (IATA)

“There may be some instances where airlines will discount to stimulate some traffic flow… but over time it’s inevitable that the high price of oil will be reflected in higher ticket prices.”

The name’s Bond…James Bond

The rumour mill is in full churn when it comes to who might take over from Daniel Craig as James Bond, with the casting process now officially underway.Here’s the latest.

Search for the new Bond begins

Five years have passed since Craig’s last Bond film, No Time To Die, and a little over a year ago Amazon MGM Studios took control of the franchise. Amazon has declined to release “specific details” so far, but auditions are said to have taken place in recent weeks.So, which of Hollywood’s leading actors are being tipped to play the famous spy next?

James Bond's new writer Steven Knight: 'If I think about the legacy, I'm f***ed'

James Bond is being rebooted for the new world order – here's everything we know

The 36-year-old Bafta nominee is the bookies current frontrunner.

Oscar nominee Jacob Elordi, 28, is another actor rumoured to be “in pole position” for the gig.

The 29-year-old, set to play John Lennon in forthcoming Beatles biopics, is in the frame.

Can you be ‘too old’ to play Bond?

Some say that at 43, the Superman star may now be too old to begin a stint as 007.

Can the same argument be made against 41-year-old Theo James, lead of The Gentleman?

At 35, perennial contender Aaron Taylor-Johnson is a few years behind James or Cavill.

Could there be a curveball?

Amazon’s producers could also opt for one of the many other names floated around in recent years or throw us all a curveball with an unexpected choice.Whoever they are, it may not be too long until we find out the identity of the seventh official person to play James Bond over the franchise’s 64-year history.

The 13 actors who could play James Bond – and the one who should

Women deserve better than a female James Bond

4 talking points from China-US summit

Donald Trump says he has a ‘very strong’ relationship with Xi Jinping after a two-day summit between the two world leaders in Beijing.Here are some key talking points, from Iran to trade.

Trump claimed to “feel very similar” to Xi about ending the Iran war, adding that both he and the Chinese president want the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened and “don’t want” Tehran to possess any nuclear weapons.

Xi made no immediate comment on Iran, with Chinese state media saying only that the “Middle East” was discussed and no high-profile agreements were announced despite Trump saying the two men “settled a lot of different problems”.

Taiwan remains a point of tension.

It has been called “the most important issue in China-US relations” but few substantive talks are believed to have been held.

Beijing warned of “conflicts” and “great jeopardy” to relations if the situation is mishandled.

Trump's biggest failure as a leader will lead to a new conflict

Trade truce still intact

Xi said the “milestone visit” helped the two countries achieve a “new bilateral… constructive relationship”.

Despite few new concrete details emerging, a one-year trade truce from October 2025 remains intact.

China ‘open’ to business

Reports also suggested Xi has agreed to “open some of” China to US businesses.

These issues and more will no doubt on the table again when the two men next hold in-person meetings.That could happen later this year, with Trump inviting Xi for a “reciprocal visit” to the US in September.

Inside Trump's travelling circus in China featuring Musk but no Melania

The pictures that show Trump is spoiling for a fight in Beijing

2026 SUNDAY TIMES RICH LIST

The 350 richest people in the UK – revealed

The Sunday Times Rich List has revealed the wealthiest individuals and families in the UK, and how much they are worth. Here are some of the eye-catching names included on this latest list.

The Sunday Times Rich List 2026

Sanjay and Dheeraj Hinduja have topped the high-profile annual list of Britain’s richest people after their father, the Indian Conglomerate Hinduja Group patriarch Gopichand Hinduja, died last year.Other high profile billionaires including Sir Jim Ratcliffe (9th) and Sir James Dyson (13th), both of whom saw their wealth decline since last year, remained fixtures on the list.

While Labour implodes, Farage is battling a scandal that could cost him everything

Jim Ratcliffe's cuts blamed for leaving Man Utd heroes without medical care

A new entry is Christopher Harborne, the Thailand-based British billionaire behind a £5m gift to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Harborne debuts at sixth on the list with an estimated wealth of £18.177bn.

Following their Oasis comeback tour, brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher are among the other Sunday Times Rich List debutants, in joint 325th place with a combined wealth of some £375m.

Sunday Times Rich List stats

Here are some more findings from the 38th edition:

The combined wealth of the UK’s 350 most affluent individuals and families.

That’s 1.4% higher than last year, and equivalent to a quarter of UK GDP.

The number of billionaires on the list, one up from 2025 but 20 fewer than the 2022 peak.

The list’s entry level also dipped by £10m to £340m, highlighting a sluggish economy.

Sir David Beckham has become the UK’s first billionaire sportsman, meanwhile.

The former footballer’s wealth, combined with that of his wife Victoria, is estimated at £1.185bn.

The Beckhams rank second among those with ties to sport, behind the family of ex-Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone (£2bn).

The 2026 Rich List – Top 5

1Sanjay and Dheeraj Hinduja and family – £38bn

2David and Simon Reuben and family – £27.971bn

3Sir Leonard Blavatnik – £26.852bn

4Idan Ofer – £24.481bn

5Guy, George, Alannah and Galen Weston and family – £18.939bn

Ratcliffe rounds out Britain’s £15bn+ club

6Christopher Harborne – £18.177bn

7Nik Storonsky – £16.411bn

8Alex Gerko – £16.006bn

9Sir Jim Ratcliffe – £15.194bn

What to know as student dies from meningitis in Berkshire

A student has died and two other young people are being treated following a meningitis outbreak in Reading, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

The person who died was reportedly a student at Henley College in Oxfordshire.

The other two cases are pupils at Reading Blue Coat School and Highdown Secondary School and Sixth Form Centre, the UKHSA said.

Close contacts of those affected are being offered antibiotics as a precaution, the agency added.

It comes after multiple fatal cases of meningitis B during an outbreak in Kent earlier this year.

Meningitis cases rise to 34 amid fears outbreak may go beyond Kent

Multiple outbreaks, several strains

The UKHSA said one of the new cases is a different MenB strain from those identified in previous outbreaks in Kent and Dorset.

March 2026: Two people died following an outbreak of meningitis in Kent, with dozens more people falling ill.

April 2026: Three young people contracted meningitis in a separate outbreak in a town in Dorset.

14 May: Three more cases in young people were reported in Reading, including one death.

15 May: UKHSA testing confirms the presence of another MenB strain.

‘Remain vigilant’ and watch for symptoms

The UKHSA said large outbreaks are “thankfully rare” as “very close contact” is required for infection.

But it stressed that “anyone can get meningitis”, which is most common in babies and young people.

The charity Meningitis Now urged people to “remain vigilant” as the disease “can become life-threatening very quickly”.

Deadly meningitis strain may be more infectious than feared

What to look out for

Symptoms may include a high temperature, severe headache, muscle pain, vomiting and a rash.

A stiff neck, sensitivity to light, confusion, drowsiness and cold hands and feet are also symptoms.

Meningitis symptoms can appear in any order and may not all be present, health experts warned.

Medical advice should therefore be sought if you have any concern, with early diagnosis and treatment viewed as “absolutely vital”.

‘Low’ risk to wider public

Meningococcal disease does not spread easily, and the risk to the wider public remains low. Dr Rachel Mearkle, consultant in health protection at ukhsa, sought to ease concern among the public

Meningococcal disease does not spread easily, and the risk to the wider public remains low.

The bills listed are not guaranteed to pass – they must still make their way through both the Commons and the Lords – but they represent the Government’s stated priorities for the session.

What is in the King’s Speech?

The speech began with the King saying that the Government would “respond to this world with strength and aim to create a country that is fair for all”. Here are the key bills announced:

Creates new legal frameworks for increased trade with the EU and new opportunities for young people, as part of the Government’s ongoing reset of UK-EU relations. The speech describes improved trading relations as “vital for the United Kingdom’s economic security, for significantly raising economic growth, and for lowering prices for working people”.

Small Business Protections (Late Payments) Bill

Forces larger businesses to pay their smaller suppliers on time.

Reforms the water industry to tackle sewage dumping and clean up rivers and waterways.

Reforms competition law to tackle market dominance and create fairer conditions for businesses.

Regulating for Growth Bill

Strips back red tape on businesses, using new technology and innovation to replace outdated rules.

Enhancing Financial Services Bill

Reforms financial services regulation to attract investment and improve the operating environment for business.

Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill

Formally takes British Steel into public ownership. The Government has said it will “continue to take all action necessary to safeguard the domestic production of steel”.

Gives legal backing to the long-delayed Northern Powerhouse Rail project, which aims to improve east-west rail connections across the North of England.

Allows roads to be built more quickly, including the Lower Thames Crossing – a long-planned tunnel under the Thames east of London.

Overnight Visitor Levy Bill

Allows local authorities in England to charge a small levy on overnight visitors, similar to tourist taxes already in place in Wales, Scotland and many European cities.

Social Housing Renewal Bill

Invests in social housing stock and strengthens protections for tenants, including domestic abuse survivors. The speech describes housing as something that “can be a source of insecurity for many people”.

Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Caps ground rents and overhauls the leasehold system. Reports suggest the most significant changes would not come into force until after the next general election.

Education for All Bill

Raises standards in schools and overhauls the system for children with special educational needs, aiming to deliver more support within mainstream schools. The speech says every child deserves “the chance to succeed to the best of his or her ability and not be held back due to poverty, special educational needs, or a lack of respect for vocational education”.

Speeds up the process of fixing unsafe cladding on residential buildings, affecting thousands of leaseholders still living in homes deemed a fire risk.

Establishes a new legislative framework to make it easier to deliver big sporting events.

Overhauls how the police are run, with a focus on standards and accountability.

Strips out layers of NHS management, shifts the focus toward preventing illness rather than treating it, and supports the Government’s 10-year health plan.

Digital Access to Services Bill

Introduces a digital ID system, allowing people to prove their identity online when dealing with public services.

Removal of Peerages Bill

Allows Parliament to remove peerages from individuals in defined circumstances.

Provides the legal framework for airport expansion, clearing the way for new runway capacity.

Sets the amount the monarch will receive in funding for the 2027-28 financial year.

Immigration and Asylum Bill

Reforms the immigration and asylum system, which the Government says will increase “confidence in the security of the immigration and asylum systems”.

Scales up homegrown renewable energy and expands the National Grid. The speech frames it as a security issue, saying increased clean energy production will help ensure “enemies of the United Kingdom cannot attack the economic security of the British people”.

Takes forward recommendations of the Nuclear Regulatory Review to support a new phase of civil nuclear power generation in the UK.

Electricity Generator Levy Bill

Introduces a levy on electricity generators as part of the Government’s wider energy market reforms.

Tackling State Threats Bill

Gives security services new powers to counter hostile foreign states and their proxies operating in the UK.

Brought forward in response to the Southport attack. The speech says the Government will “respond to the horrific attack in Southport with measures to protect the British people from extreme violence, and honour the victims, the injured and their families”.

What are the draft bills?

Some measures have been published in draft form, meaning they are available for parliamentary scrutiny but have not yet been formally introduced to the Commons. Draft bills must complete pre-legislative scrutiny before the Government can bring forward a final version for full parliamentary debate.

Draft Conversion Practices Bill

This will ban abusive conversion practices – attempts to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill has been subject to prolonged delays across successive governments.

Draft Ticket Tout Ban Bill

This will crack down on the bulk-buying of tickets by touts for resale at inflated prices.

Draft Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Bill

This will look at updating taxi and private hire vehicle laws to “make every day journeys safer, fairer and easier”.

Seven of the bills in this session’s programme were carried over from the last parliamentary year, meaning the Commons agreed a motion to continue their passage rather than starting them afresh.

Improves the military justice system and writes the Armed Forces Covenant – the Government’s commitments to service personnel and their families – into law.

Courts and Tribunals Bill

Reforms the criminal justice system and court processes. Also referred to as the Courts Modernisation Bill.

Cyber Security and Resilience Bill

Strengthens the UK’s defences against cyber attacks and hostile activity online.

Northern Ireland Troubles Bill

Addresses legacy issues arising from the war in Northern Ireland.

Public Office (Accountability) Bill

Introduces a legal duty of candour for public servants – meaning they would be required by law to tell the truth in public inquiries and investigations. Widely known as the Hillsborough Law.

Railways and Passenger Benefits Bill

Establishes Great British Railways, bringing train operators and infrastructure under a single public body.

Representation of the People Bill

Reforms electoral law, covering voter registration and lowering the voting age to 16.

What’s missing from the speech?

A full welfare reform bill

This is most significant omission. The Government announced earlier this year that it intended to overhaul the benefits system, with proposed changes to personal independence payments (PIP) and the work capability assessment drawing sustained political attention.

The speech refers to ongoing welfare reform, saying ministers will “respond to the Milburn Review and the Timms Review and continue to reform the welfare system to support both young and disabled people to flourish in work”.

However, no standalone welfare bill has been included in the programme.

Ministers have said primary legislation will follow once the reviews have reported, with findings expected later this summer and autumn.