King's Speech outlines proposal to appoint independent Armed Forces champion
A new Armed Forces champion would be appointed to represent the military and their families under Government plans announced in the King's Speech.
Details of the proposed new role were announced in what was the first King's Speech under a Labour Government in 14 years.
King Charles told the gathered peers and MPs that a bill would be "introduced to establish a statutory Armed Forces Commissioner to act as a strong independent champion for our gallant Armed Forces and their families".
Whoever gets the role would be given the power to investigate potential problems with service life.
This may include inspecting accommodation, assessing work-life balance and faulty kit, and looking at childcare arrangements.
The Government said whoever is appointed would also be fully empowered to highlight issues, with access to information and Ministry of Defence sites as appropriate.
They would also see the individual delivering annual reports and strengthening the parliamentary understanding of the issues facing service people.
The Armed Forces Commissioner role was one of 40 pieces of proposed legislation included in the King's Speech, with the new Labour administration setting out its agenda for the coming Parliament.
Nato was also mentioned in the speech, with the Government stating it would ensure a strong defence based on Nato's values.
According to the Government, its commitment to Nato will remain "unshakeable" and a strong Armed Forces, including the nuclear deterrent, will be maintained.
"To ensure that the United Kingdom's defence capabilities are matched to the changing nature of global strategic threats, my Government will conduct a Strategic Defence Review," the King said in his speech.
"My Government will continue to give its full support to Ukraine and its people and it will endeavour to play a leading role in providing Ukraine with a clear path to Nato membership."
The Middle East was also mentioned in the speech, with King Charles telling MPs the Government would "play its part in trying to secure long-term peace and security" in the region.
"It is committed to a two-state solution with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state," the King said.
The speech itself was the longest at a State Opening of Parliament since 2003, with it also being the most legislation-heavy speech for nearly two decades.
And its 40 Bills are the highest number to be announced at a State Opening since 2005.
The text of this year's speech took 12 minutes and 44 seconds for the King to read out loud, more than a minute longer than last year's speech, which took him 11 minutes and 29 seconds to deliver.
It ran to 1,421 words, making it the longest monarch's speech at a State Opening of Parliament since 2003.
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