King's Speech 2026: Education
This briefing explores what announcements the government could make in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 about education.
Approximate read time: 10 minutes
The Labour manifesto 2024 included a commitment to “break down barriers to opportunity by reforming our childcare and education systems, to make sure there is no class ceiling on the ambitions of young people in Britain”. In addition, it said it would produce “a comprehensive strategy” for post-16 education as well as improving access to universities, establishing Skills England and guaranteeing training, an apprenticeship, or help to find work for all 18- to 21-year-olds.
The government has sought to introduce a number of its commitments through legislation in the 2024–26 parliamentary session. In the latter half of the parliamentary session it published white papers on schools, support for individuals with special educational needs and disability (SEND) and post-16 education and skills. It is also currently running several consultations in these areas.
This briefing has been prepared to assist members of the House of Lords in the debates on the King’s Speech. It draws upon material from the public domain and does not constitute official information about the government’s intentions or provide a complete list of bills to be announced.