My Lords and members of the House of Commons,

it is mindful of a legacy of service and devotion to this country

set by my beloved mother, the late Queen,

that I deliver this the first King's speech in over 70 years.

The impact of COVID and the war in Ukraine have created

significant long-term challenges for the United Kingdom. That is why my government's priority

is to make the difficult but necessary long-term decisions to change this country for the better.

My Minister's focus is on increasing economic growth and safeguarding the health and security

of the British people for generations to come. My Government will continue to take action to bring down inflation,

to ease the cost of living for families and help businesses fund new jobs and investments.

My ministers will support the Bank of England to return inflation to target by taking responsible decisions on spending and borrowing.

These decisions will help household finances, reduce public sector debt and safeguard the financial security of the country.

Legislation will be introduced to strengthen the United Kingdom's energy security

and reduce reliance on volatile international energy markets and hostile foreign regimes.

This bill will support the future licensing of new oil and gas fields, helping the country

to transition to net zero by 2050 without adding undue burdens on households.

Alongside this, my ministers will seek to attract record levels of investment in renewable energy sources and reform grid connections,

building on the United Kingdom's track record

of decarbonising faster than other G7 economies.

My government will invest in Network North to deliver faster and more reliable journeys

between and within the cities and towns of the North and Midlands, prioritising improving the journeys that people make

most often.

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