Legislation designed to improve children’s wellbeing is among government plans laid out by Charles III in his first King’s Speech under a Labour government.

• Children’s Wellbeing Bill – The Children’s Wellbeing Bill “will put children and their wellbeing at the centre of the education and children’s social care systems, and make changes so they are safe, healthy, happy and treated fairly”, according to briefing notes published to accompany the speech.
• Mental Health Bill – A new Mental Health Bill, designed to “modernise the Mental Health Act so it is fit for the twenty first century”, proposes to “ensure that detention and treatment under the Mental Health Act takes place only when necessary” and end the use of police stations and prisons as places where people, including young people, can be detained for welfare reasons.
• Tobacco and Vapes Bill – The King’s Speech also saw the reinstatement of the plans introduced under the previous Conservative government to create a smoke-free generation for children and young people.
• Crime and Policing Bill – In briefing notes to accompany the speech, details of a new Crime and Policing Bill mentions the government’s £95mn manifesto proposal for a new Young Futures programme which would see hubs set up across the country to support children at risk of involvement in crime.