The Department for Work and Pensions will not be affected by Sir Keir Starmer's King's Speech, it has emerged. The Prime Minister has left welfare reform out of the King's Speech on Wednesday, May 13.
Conservative Criticism
Sir Mel Stride, the Conservative Party shadow chancellor, said the Government's failure to tackle welfare reform in this parliamentary session showed that Sir Keir was "terrified of his own MPs." He said: "Labour's benefits bonanza is spiralling and Starmer is too weak to act. Terrified of his own MPs, Starmer talks tough but bottles every real welfare reform. Labour are completely incapable of gripping the welfare bill and Britain cannot afford his weakness any longer."
The Tories' MP Sir Mel said the figures made a mockery of Labour's promise to "get Britain working."
Other Announcements
Starmer will announce a bill to move closer to the EU, one to strengthen the immigration system, and one to all but end the leasehold system. He said on Tuesday night: "The British people expect the government to get on with the job of changing our country for the better. Cutting the cost of living, bringing down hospital waiting lists and keeping our country safe in an increasingly dangerous world. Britain stands at a pivotal moment: to press ahead with a plan to build a stronger, fairer country or turn back to the chaos and instability of the past. My government will deliver on the promise of change for the British people."
His words underline his message to the cabinet on Tuesday, when he told ministers: "I take responsibility for the change we promised."
Royal Embarrassment
It comes as royal sources told Politico on Tuesday that the ceremony could prove embarrassing for King Charles. "It is very embarrassing for the king that his government is such a shambles that he has to read out something that may or may not still be the government's programme by the end of the week," one said.
