King Charles has made his first King’s Speech since he officially took the crown this year.
He outlined 21 laws that set out the government’s priorities for the year ahead, the first of such for Rishi Sunak’s government.
Housing
Firstly, a Leasehold and Freehold Bill will ban leaseholds for new houses in England and Wales, although not new flats.
In a 2019 report, leasehold house sales, where the tenant purchases right to live but not own the property, were described as “particularly common” in nearby towns of Manchester, such as Oldham.
It is hoped that this change will make it easier for people to sell their properties and get mortgages.
However, Oldham East and Saddleworth MP, Debbie Abrahams, said that the Conservative government chose “yet more evidence-free gimmicks”.
On housing, the Labour MP said: “Following my recent community meeting in Shaw, I intend to introduce new legislation to strengthen the power of local planning authorities in stopping unnecessary HMOs”.
Vapes
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will introduce restrictions on the packaging and marketing of vapes, an industry that has been prevalent in Oldham.
A report commissioned by the UK Vaping Industry Association found that, in 2020, Oldham was among the top places for employment in the industry.
For constituencies, Oldham East and Saddleworth was in the top 50 nationwide, with vapes adding more than £750,000 to the economy.
Latics
The Football Governance Bill will establish a regulator for the top five tiers of English football, which Oldham Athletic are part of.
In 2022, the Latics became the first former Premier League side to drop out of the Football League, with many citing poor ownership as the primary reason for relegation.
During that season, Football365’s Ian King said: “The need for an independent regulator has never been more apparent”.
Reaction
Speaking after the King’s Speech, Labour MP for Oldham West and Royton, Jim McMahon, said: “Under the Tories, nothing works anymore. NHS waiting lists are at record highs, schools and hospitals are crumbling, the trains don’t run properly, violent criminals are getting off scot-free and water companies are dumping raw sewage into our waters”.
He added that the Tory government had run out of ideas for the people of Oldham, something which Ms Abrahams also alluded to.
She said: “After 13 tortuous years, the policy programme in today’s King’s speech reaffirms once more that this Conservative Government is out of ideas, and out of time.”
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