RCPod's comments on the King's Speech

Last week saw the State Opening of Parliament with a new government, and the first Labour government in 14 years. The King announced approximately 40 new pieces of legislation in his speech. This new government clearly wishes to hit the ground running and ensure that it has a good opportunity to be re-elected in 2028/29.

The speech stated that the government wishes to encourage wealth creation for all communities through improved living standards in all regions and nations of the UK. The government expressed a wish to get people back into employment, particularly after the pandemic, as numerous stakeholders have emphasised ‘good work’ is a route out of poverty.

It will be looking at rights for parental leave, sick pay, protection from unfair dismissal from day one of employment, making it unlawful to sack a woman who has had a baby in the last 6 months after she returns to work, and a ban on exploitative zero hours contracts. This is all very positive from a trade union perspective.

Following the 2022 Health and Care Act, and Wes Streeting’s support for last year’s NHS England Long Term Workforce Plan, the government will focus on prevention, which is positive for the podiatry profession as it plays such an important role in this area. The King announced that the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which progressively increases the age at which people can buy cigarettes, will become law within this Parliament. Also included were plans to legislate to restrict advertising of junk food to children, as well as plans to reform the Mental Health Act, and increase mental health provision for young people, and create parity between physical and mental health provision.

Lord Ara Darzi was commissioned by this government to conduct an independent review of NHS performance to inform a forthcoming ten-year plan to reform the NHS. Wes Streeting has said, even before the election, that he was willing to take bold and unpopular decisions to ensure that the NHS is fit to meet patient need.  

Social Care, whilst it was in Labour’s Manifesto, was not mentioned. There are plans to establish a cross-party Royal Commission with the hope of creating long-term consensus.

We welcome a focus on the public health of the nation and bringing the NHS up to the standard expected by the public and look forward to seeing the detail behind the announcements. The Royal College of Podiatry looks forward to working with the government particularly on the details around workers' rights, prevention, the reform of the Mental Health Act, and the commission on social care.