The King has outlined the new Labour government’s priorities in the King's Speech.
There were 40 bills in total, including plans to build more houses and infrastructure, nationalise the railways, give working people what Starmer calls a 'new deal', and to ensure cleaner water. Also included is a 'no loopholes' ban on conversion therapy.
Here’s how major Christian organisations reacted to the pledges:
Trussell Trust
The Trussel Trust is responsible for over 1300 foodbanks in the UK. A statement on their website says the commend the PM’s commitment to improve pay for working people, but that they would like to see his government be bolder in tackling poverty.
“The King’s Speech set out some welcome long-term proposals to turn the tide of hunger and hardship. The two main positives were strengthening workers’ rights and renters’ rights.
“One in five people referred to food banks in our network are in work. Insecure, low-paid and inflexible work traps people in hardship. So we’re pleased to see one of the Trussell Trust’s manifesto asks (‘9. New workers’ rights legislation’) being brought forward.
we know the biggest and most immediate driver of hunger and hardship that food banks see is our social security system. From the UK Government’s manifesto, it was clear this wasn’t on the agenda for immediate legislative change.
We know change is needed now…The Household Support Fund, which helps councils provide local crisis support ends in September. Winter awaits. Meanwhile, the public expect change and are likely to grow weary of announcements that feel remote from their daily lives.
We know there are fiscal constraints. But there are relatively low-cost steps that would make a real difference to people’s lives and ease the burden on our other creaking public services like health and education. Extending the Household Support Fund, blunting the impact of deductions from benefits and the benefit cap through a protected minimum floor in Universal Credit, and extending financial support for private renters are three simple, targeted and effective measures to help people keep their head above water.
The UK Government says it stands for change. Let the people see it.”
Christian Institute
The Christian Institute focuses on religious freedoms in the UK. Deputy Director Ciaran Kelly told Premier Christian Radio that he is concerned the pledge to ban 'conversion therapy' for LGBT individuals could extend to consensual prayer within churches.
"The Labour party have been pretty clear that they want a 'no loopholes ban' on 'conversion practices'. The issue is, what are these conversion practices? There are very real, very legitimate fears that this will interfere with churches, and how parents bring up their children.
"This is a very, very complex area that they are legislating in. Pre-legislative scrutiny will help to bring out the issues in it.
"If it's vaguely worded, it's likely to interfere with religious freedom... Christian ministries could be investigated for saying the Lord's Prayer with gay friends."
Christian Aid
Christian Aid’s focus is tackling global poverty. Sophie Powell, Chief of UK Advocacy and Campaigns, said the charity are pleased that the new government has acknowledged the immediacy of the climate crisis:
“Across the globe, the climate crisis is causing sweeping floods, severe droughts and extreme weather that is destroying homes, habitats, and the rights of people to lead their own lives.
"The UK has a moral responsibility to act. Christian Aid therefore strongly welcomes the new government’s recognition in the King’s Speech of the ‘urgency of the global climate challenge’.
"With COP29 just around the corner, keeping global climate cooperation on track depends upon securing an ambitious goal on climate finance. One of the first major tests of the new government’s credibility will be mobilising our fair share, a plan is therefore needed with some urgency."