King’s Speech 2026: What it means for you

King Charles set out the government’s planned new laws at today’s State Opening of Parliament. But behind all the pomp and ceremony, what does all this mean for you and your life?

Well, let’s take a look at what was announced.

Tackling cost of living a priority

Defence was, unsurprisingly, a key focus of the King’s Speech, with the King saying: “An increasingly dangerous and volatile world threatens the United Kingdom, with the conflict in the Middle East only the most recent example.”

But the speech stressed that the UK’s economic security “depends on raising living standards” in every part of the country.

So ministers will “support measures that maintain stability and control the cost of living”. 

Welfare reforms 

No new law on welfare changes was announced.

But the King did say that the government will respond to a review into personal independence payment that’s currently underway.

The government also pledged to keep reforming the welfare system “to support both young and disabled people to flourish in work as the basis for long-term economic security”.

Digital ID to be introduced

The government confirmed that it will press ahead on introducing digital ID to “modernise” how people interact with public services.

This would mean citizens can log on to just one app to prove who they are, which ministers believe will make accessing public services quicker, easier and more secure.

Focus on energy security

A new bill to scale up the production of homegrown renewable energy will be introduced.

The government says recent events in the Middle East highlight the need to focus on energy independence, so “enemies of the United Kingdom cannot attack the economic security of the British people”.

Investment in social housing and leasehold reform

The government said it will increase long-term investment in social housing, reform the leasehold system and cap ground rents.

Child poverty and youth unemployment

The government will “continue to invest in apprenticeships and measures that tackle youth unemployment”.

In the speech, King Charles said ministers believe “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”.