The Leader of the House of Commons, Lucy Powell MP, has set out the new Labour Government’s plans and priorities for the coming weeks and months, as MPs return to Parliament for a new term. Speaking ahead of the return, Powell says the new Labour Government is continuing to hit the ground running to fix the foundations of our economy – grappling with the shocking inheritance left by the Conservatives – and to take rapid action on key manifesto pledges to deliver the change people voted for.
This new government of service will build on the swift action already taken. Since July, the Government has begun addressing the most urgent and serious failings left by the previous Conservative administration, including a prisons crisis, a Parliament beset by sleaze and scandal, and a £22bn black hole that was covered up from the British people and the spending watchdog.
Returning after the shortest summer recess in history, this pace of government will continue through the autumn. MPs are expected to pass two historic bills through their Commons stages in the first week back – to bring rail operators into public ownership, and establish a fiscal lock which will deliver economic stability and ensure the disastrous ‘mini-budget’ can never happen again.
Tackling the root causes of our energy crisis, and laying the foundations for long term energy security, MPs will on Thursday debate the Second Reading of the Great British Energy Bill. In the House of Lords, The Crown Estate Bill will have a Second Reading. This Bill will give The Crown Estate the powers to borrow and invest, supporting the major partnership between Great British Energy and The Crown Estate to accelerate deployment of offshore wind, new technologies and support UK supply chains.
Through the autumn, the new Government will set out detail on tightened rules on second jobs for MPs, with the Modernisation Committee expected to be up and running, driving up standards, addressing the culture of politics, and improving working practices in the House of Commons. Also this autumn, bills are expected on employment rights, levelling up workers’ rights so people have security, dignity and respect; on renters’ reform, strengthening tenants’ rights and addressing the insecurity and injustice faced by many renters; on water company regulation, cracking down on water companies who fail to deliver for their customers and the environment; as well as the first budget from a female Chancellor in British history.
The economic inheritance has already required the difficult decision to target the Winter Fuel Payment at the least well-off pensioners. The budget will require more difficult choices. But being honest with people about the challenges we face is an essential part of rebuilding our finances and public trust in politics.
Over the coming months, the Government will be honest with the British people about the state our country is in, and at the same time work to tackle our biggest and most urgent issues, deliver on our promises and restore politics to service.
Lucy Powell MP, Leader of the House of Commons, said: “This new Labour Government is full of energy, full of ideas and full of drive to deliver our mandate for change. That’s why we’ve announced a packed legislative agenda focused on the people’s priorities.
“After 14 years of the Conservatives, we’ve had to act quickly and act drastically to stop the rot at the heart of our country’s finances, our public services and our politics.
“Now as we return from the shortest summer recess in history, Labour is ready to roll up our sleeves and pass the laws we urgently need to fix the foundations as we build a better Britain.”