king charles has carried out his first state opening of parliament as monarch. the speech, written by the government, has set out the plans for year ahead. proposed laws include tougher sentences for some crimes, a phased ban on smoking and more licensing for oil and gas fields in the north sea. our political correspondent helen catt has more. just before 11.15, the royal carriage drew into the sovereign�* entrance, carrying for the first time in seven decades, the king, to formally open parliament. while the monarch had changed, the pageantry remained the same. as is tradition, black rod went to the commons and had the door slammed shut against her by mps. before she summoned them to the lords. on the way, the prime minister and the leader of the opposition appeared to be having a friendly chat but this speech, written by the government, was in part about drawing dividing lines between them ahead of an election. but first, the king acknowledged the significance of this moment. it is mindful of a legacy of service and devotion to this country set by my beloved mother, the late queen, that i deliver this, the first king�*s speech in over 70 years. the impact of covid and the war in ukraine have created significant long—term challenges for the united kingdom. that is why my government�*s priority is to make the difficult but necessary long—term decisions to change this country for the better. there was an announcement of a bill toissue there was an announcement of a bill to issue annual extraction licences for oil and gas and a focus on crime, including previously announced measures. my announced measures. my government will act to keep communities safe from crime, anti—social behaviour, terrorism and illegal migration. a bill will be brought forward to ensure tougher sentences for the most serious offenders and increase the confidence of the victims. there was a promise to make it easierfor there was a promise to make it easier for leasehold homeowners to buy their freehold and tackle service charges and a return for the renters reform bill, which was in the last queen�*s speech. there was also a measure rishi sunak has said as a personal goal. my as a personal goal. my government will introduce legislation to create a smoke—free generation by restricting the sale of tobacco so the children currently aged 1a or younger can never be sold cigarettes. this king�*s speech could be rishi sunak�*s last chance to push through his agenda. labour says the whole speech suggests the government has run out of ideas. this is in a legislative programme for a _ this is in a legislative programme for a year. — this is in a legislative programme for a year, we could get all of this done _ for a year, we could get all of this done in _ for a year, we could get all of this done in a — for a year, we could get all of this done in a fortnight and then have a general— done in a fortnight and then have a general election. we done in a fortnight and then have a general election.— done in a fortnight and then have a general election. we haven't talked about the crime _ general election. we haven't talked about the crime and _ general election. we haven't talked about the crime and justice - general election. we haven't talked about the crime and justice bill, - about the crime and justice bill, which _ about the crime and justice bill, which is — about the crime and justice bill, which is in — about the crime and justice bill, which is in a1_ about the crime and justice bill, which is in a1 clause _ about the crime and justice bill, which is in a1 clause or- about the crime and justice bill, which is in a1 clause or two - about the crime and justice bill, i which is in a1 clause or two clause bill. which is in a1 clause or two clause biii~ it_ which is in a1 clause or two clause biii~ it will— which is in a1 clause or two clause biii~ it will be _ which is in a1 clause or two clause bill. it will be a — which is in a1 clause or two clause bill. it will be a substantial- which is in a1 clause or two clause bill. it will be a substantial piece. bill. it will be a substantial piece of legislation _ bill. it will be a substantial piece of legislation setting _ bill. it will be a substantial piece of legislation setting out - bill. it will be a substantial piece of legislation setting out how- bill. it will be a substantial piece of legislation setting out how we will protect — of legislation setting out how we will protect the _ of legislation setting out how we will protect the public. _ of legislation setting out how we will protect the public. the - of legislation setting out how we will protect the public.— will protect the public. the snp thinks it sends _ will protect the public. the snp thinks it sends the _ will protect the public. the snp thinks it sends the wrong - will protect the public. the snp i thinks it sends the wrong message will protect the public. the snp - thinks it sends the wrong message on oil and gas. it is thinks it sends the wrong message on oil and as. , ., ., ~' oil and gas. it is not working, there are _ oil and gas. it is not working, there are real— oil and gas. it is not working, there are real issues, - oil and gas. it is not working, there are real issues, the - there are real issues, the government needs to be clear that it is absolutely behind its climate change commitments and give confidence to the renewables industry. confidence to the renewables indust . , ., , ., , industry. the liberal democrats say there was not _ industry. the liberal democrats say there was not enough _ industry. the liberal democrats say there was not enough on _ industry. the liberal democrats say there was not enough on the - industry. the liberal democrats say there was not enough on the nhs i industry. the liberal democrats say| there was not enough on the nhs or sewage and criticise the crime bills. . ., g , . sewage and criticise the crime bills. . , . ~ ., bills. on criminaljustice, we know that system _ bills. on criminaljustice, we know that system is _ bills. on criminaljustice, we know that system is creaking _ bills. on criminaljustice, we know that system is creaking at - bills. on criminaljustice, we know that system is creaking at the - bills. on criminaljustice, we know. that system is creaking at the seams but the _ that system is creaking at the seams but the government seem to want to add more _ but the government seem to want to add more to— but the government seem to want to add more to it than necessarily helping — add more to it than necessarily helping the police and criminal justice — helping the police and criminal justice system deliver. it seems like they— justice system deliver. it seems like they are waiting for a general election. — like they are waiting for a general election, maybe they should just get on and _ election, maybe they should just get on and deliver one. this election, maybe they should “ust get on and deliver one.* on and deliver one. this beach is certainly part _ on and deliver one. this beach is certainly part of— on and deliver one. this beach is certainly part of preparing - on and deliver one. this beach is certainly part of preparing the i certainly part of preparing the ground for that election, as well as setting out what mps will be focusing on in the run up to that. our chief political correspondent is henry zeffman. a huge occasion for the king — and a chance for the government to set out its plans for the parliamentary year. that is right. for all of the pomp and pageantry, and there has certainly been a lot of that today, todayis certainly been a lot of that today, today is really about politics. it is a rare opportunity for the prime minister, for the government to pause and say, this is what we want to do, these are our priorities and we have a list. 21 pieces of legislation that the government wants to get passed over the coming months or year or so, ultimately before that general election that we all know is hurtling down the track. i have to admit, there was very little in the speech, in these pieces of legislation, that is surprising to us. that is not to diminish the significance of individual proposals for change but they are things the government has been talking about before, or in some cases has begun the legislative process for. one theme is the government seeking clear dividing lines with the labour party. that is what they want to do on oil and gas, thatis what they want to do on oil and gas, that is what they think they will be able to do on crime. of course, the labour party will fight back hard on that. you will hear sir keir starmer later today and the house of commons arguing only labour can deliver the long—term reform, the king used that phrase eight times in a speech, he will argue only labour can do that rather than the fifth consecutive conservative prime minister sensed that the party took office in 2010. i think that is the debate we will be hearing in the house of commons later but it is also the kind of debate we will be hearing a lot in the run—up to the general election. henry, thank you very much indeed. so health and crime were two of this big themes in the king�*s speech. in a moment, we�*ll speak to our health correspondent nick triggle, but first let�*s speak to our home editor mark easton. mark, what is your big take away? i think as henry was saying, with the general election likely within a year, the tories have put crime and punishment at the heart of their policy agenda. more whole life or death of her murderous, more jail time for sex offenders and rapists. they will force convicts to be in the docks when victim statements are read in court. none of these ideas are new, there is very little in the way of new detail. we don�*t know how much is really going to change or how much they are going to cost. what we do know is that there are record numbers of people already locked up in england and wales, sentences have never been longer. the jails are overcrowded, staff are dealing with record levels of self—harm, rising violence. actually being tough on crime is easy to say but there are always practical, social and economic consequences. nick, help very much a focus of the agenda as well?— agenda as well? yes, it is. legislation _ agenda as well? yes, it is. legislation has _ agenda as well? yes, it is. legislation has been - agenda as well? yes, it is. - legislation has been promised to tackle _ legislation has been promised to tackle smoking. the aim is not to criminalise — tackle smoking. the aim is not to criminalise smoking but gradually increase — criminalise smoking but gradually increase the age at which tobacco products— increase the age at which tobacco products can be bought. it will kick in in 2027i — products can be bought. it will kick in in 20271 mean anyone aged 14 or under_ in in 20271 mean anyone aged 14 or under today— in in 20271 mean anyone aged 14 or under today would never legally be able to _ under today would never legally be able to buy cigarettes and tobacco. that is _ able to buy cigarettes and tobacco. that is if— able to buy cigarettes and tobacco. that is if it — able to buy cigarettes and tobacco. that is if it is passed because mps will be _ that is if it is passed because mps will be given a free vote on the issue — will be given a free vote on the issue it — will be given a free vote on the issue. it mirrors a scheme that is already. — issue. it mirrors a scheme that is already. in— issue. it mirrors a scheme that is already, in the process of being introduced in new zealand. currently introduced in new zealand. currently in the _ introduced in new zealand. currently in the uk, _ introduced in new zealand. currently in the uk, around 13% of adults smoke — in the uk, around 13% of adults smoke and _ in the uk, around 13% of adults smoke and four in five start before the age _ smoke and four in five start before the age of— smoke and four in five start before the age of 20. a crackdown on vaping has also _ the age of 20. a crackdown on vaping has also been promised. this is more complex— has also been promised. this is more complex because e—cigarettes are considered an important tool to help people _ considered an important tool to help people stop smoking. they carry a fraction _ people stop smoking. they carry a fraction of— people stop smoking. they carry a fraction of the risk of cigarettes but are — fraction of the risk of cigarettes but are not entirely risk—free and there _ but are not entirely risk—free and there is— but are not entirely risk—free and there is concern about the number of young _ there is concern about the number of young people taking up vaping so the government is currently consulting on whether to restrict the sale of flavoured — on whether to restrict the sale of flavoured rates as well as displays in shops — flavoured rates as well as displays in shops. we will have to wait for that consultation to finish before we know — that consultation to finish before we know exactly what the government is planning _ we know exactly what the government is planning. nick we know exactly what the government is ”lannin. w' we know exactly what the government is ”lannin. w ., ,, is planning. nick triggle and mark easton, thank _ is planning. nick triggle and mark easton, thank you _ is planning. nick triggle and mark easton, thank you both. _ there have been fresh explosions in the southern gazan cities of khan younis and rafah as israeli air strikes continued overnight. health officials in hamas—run gaza say 23 people were killed in two blasts there. they say 10,000 people have been killed since the conflict began when hamas, designated a terrorist organisaion by the uk government, killed more than 1,400 people. israel�*s prime minister benjamin netanyahu has resisted calls for a ceasefire, but now says shorter "humanitarian pauses" might be a possibility. yolande knell has the latest from jerusalem. a warning, you may find some of her report distressing. emerging alive from the ruins of his home. for one month, palestinians have been underfire. all of home. for one month, palestinians have been under fire. all of gaza home. for one month, palestinians have been underfire. all of gaza is a battlefield, even here in khan younis in the south. after israel told people to flee here. thea;r younis in the south. after israel told people to flee here. they show their mi . ht told people to flee here. they show their might and _ told people to flee here. they show their might and power _ told people to flee here. they show their might and power against - their might and power against civilians. babies inside, kids inside. , , inside. this little girl survived the niuht inside. this little girl survived the night time _ inside. this little girl survived the night time attack. - inside. this little girl survived the night time attack. others| the night time attack. others didn�*t. a grim milestone has been passed, with over 4000 children among the more than 10,000 people who have been killed, according to local health officials. explosions in the north, israeli forces are advancing they say, in their mission to dismantle hamas after it launched its deadly attacks on the 7th of october. and now, the israeli prime minister is also giving his first clue as to what might happen here after the war. i clue as to what might happen here after the war-— after the war. i think israel will for an indefinite _ after the war. i think israel will for an indefinite period - after the war. i think israel will for an indefinite period have i after the war. i think israel willl for an indefinite period have the overall security responsibility because we had seen what happens when we don�*t have it, when we don�*t have the security responsibility what we have is the eruption of hamas terror on a scale we couldn�*t imagine. across israel, it is an unofficial day of mourning. manyjoined a minute�*s silence. singing. then singing the national hunt them to remember the bloodiest day in their history, when some 1400 people were killed. with 240 hostages still missing in gaza, a table was laid out, their loved ones hoping these symbols would get attention. we are so sad and we can�*t feel other feelings. we are so sad and we can�*t feel otherfeelings. we we are so sad and we can�*t feel other feelings. we can�*t smile. everything that we saw, we lose our happiness. because of this situation. that is why we came here. even after decades of conflict between israel and the palestinians, the past month has seen unprecedented suffering and for now, there is no end in sight. yolande knell, bbc news, jerusalem. in a moment, we can speak to rushdi abualouf who is in gaza for us but first, let�*s go our correspondent mark lowen who�*s in southern israel for us. you can see their pressure on the israeli government for a ceasefire but also from the families of those hostages still in gaza. yes, indeed, and the grief here in israel and the grief in gaza continues to intensify because one month on, the israeli military is continuing to tighten its grip around gaza city. it has said that it has taken control of a hamas stronghold and detonated a hamas weapons depot as well. the main road travelling from north to south inside the gaza strip, about a mile away from where we are speaking, has been opened once again today to allow some of the civilians in the north to evacuate south. but to give you an idea of the numbers we are talking about, is estimated about 350,000 civilians are still sheltering in the north of gaza and at the weekend, the un said only 2000 took that road. there are still air strikes happening in the south of gaza as well. the world health organization has now said 160 children a day are dying and that some medics are having to carry out operations, including amputations, without anaesthetics because of the shortage of medical aid and food and fuel as well. just to leave you with a glimmer of hope, though, after... israel�*s prime minister has been ruling out any humanitarian pause is until there was movement on those hostages. his latest remarks are a little bit more hopeful. he said that they will look into tactical little pauses, that could potentially provide an opportunity for some aid to get in where it is so desperately needed.- for some aid to get in where it is so desperately needed. mark, thank ou ve so desperately needed. mark, thank you very much _ so desperately needed. mark, thank you very much indeed. _ so desperately needed. mark, thank you very much indeed. let's - so desperately needed. mark, thank you very much indeed. let's cross i you very much indeed. let�*s cross live to rushdi abualouf who is in khan younis. there has been more israeli air strikes overnight? yes, there were three deadly air strikes. — yes, there were three deadly air strikes, more than 30 people were killed _ strikes, more than 30 people were killed in— strikes, more than 30 people were killed in khan younis and rafah. these _ killed in khan younis and rafah. these areas in the south, it is the area _ these areas in the south, it is the area israel— these areas in the south, it is the area israel asked people to flee to, they said _ area israel asked people to flee to, they said it— area israel asked people to flee to, they said it was safe. today, we are having _ they said it was safe. today, we are having more — they said it was safe. today, we are having more people coming from gaza city into _ having more people coming from gaza city into the _ having more people coming from gaza city into the south. in fact, they were _ city into the south. in fact, they were walking about five kilometres because _ were walking about five kilometres because t