Following the King’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament on 13 May, we are sharing an overview of the key announcements and proposed legislation most relevant to the visitor economy.

The measures outlined below include proposals relating to transport, aviation, major events, business regulation and overnight visitor levies, all of which may have implications for tourism businesses and destinations across England.

Overview

The King’s speech marked the state opening of parliament on Wednesday 13 May. The King began with a recognition of global volatility, with an acceptance that the nation will be tested.

The central theme of the speech was the intersection of national, economic and energy security, with the King stating that his Government will respond to global uncertainty “with strength and aim to create a society that is fair for all”.

The King reaffirmed his Government’s desire for there to be an “active state in partnership with business”, asserting his Government’s position that “economic security depends upon raising living standards in every part of the UK”.

The King also said that his Government will uphold the “British values of decency, tolerance and respect for difference under our common flag”, with his government seeking to generate a sense of pride in communities across the country.

There were 35 bills presented. Which can be read here.

Key pieces of legislation for the Visitor Economy include:

• Civil Aviation Bill: This will seek to support the sector by strengthening consumer rights and protections, make airport expansion simpler and increase capacity. It includes measures which will provide the Government flexibility to respond to emergency situations that require changes to scheduling.
• European Partnership Bill: This will aim to strengthen ties with the European Union. It will contain measures to provide the government with powers to fulfil treaty obligations in its agreements with the EU, with parliamentary approval required before application. It also includes a power to extend the application of the Bill to new treaties with the EU negotiated in the future.
• Northern Powerhouse Rail Bill: This follows from the previous announcement of £45 billion to be invested in the railways of the north. Delivered in stages, it will begin with electrification and deliver a new route between Manchester and Liverpool, which stops at Manchester Airport.
• Overnight Visitor Levy Bill: This will provide the legislative framework for mayors to introduce a levy, with it being anticipated that the Bill will address the broad conditions under which a levy may be introduced, as well as the structure of the tax.
• Railways and Passenger Benefits Bill: This will formally establish Great British Railways (GBR), bringing track and train under a single public organisation. It will be accountable for ensuring that the railway works efficiently, with a watchdog being set up to set standards, investigate poor services and hold GBR to account. The bill will seek to simplify tickets, consolidating the 14 existing operator websites into a single platform. GBR will take on additional statutory duties related to rail freight, bringing freight inside the organisation’s decision-making.
• Small Business Protections (Late Payments) Bill: This seeks to tackle late payments in UK-to-UK business transactions. The legislation will include measures such as a maximum payment term of 60 days (with exceptions), enforce mandatory interest for late payments at 8% above the Bank of England’s exchange rate, introduce a time limit for raising invoice disputes and levy fines on persistent late payers.
• Sporting Events Bill: This will seek to enhance the UK’s ability to host major events, in preparation for UEFA Euro 2028. The legislation will aim to provide ministers to determine what measures are appropriate for each event, protect commercial rights, inhibit ticket resale, and coordinate transport planning for major sporting events.
• Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Bill: This will replace the current myriad of regulation with a single framework across England. It will mandate the use of a national database of all licensed vehicles, drivers and PHV operators by licensing authorities. The bill also references the night-time economy, with it seeking to support both staff and consumers in the sector.
• Ticket Tout Ban Bill: This will seek to outlaw the operating model of ticket touts, making it illegal to resell tickets to events for above the original cost. It will contain measures to cap fees on resale markets and prevent an individual selling more tickets than they were originally entitled to buy.