Sir Keir Starmer pledges to 'take the brakes off Britain' by announcing string of growth-boosting measures in King's Speech TODAY - but Tories say Labour must 'deliver change quickly'

Sir Keir Starmer will launch a fresh assault on the planning system today – meaning communities can debate only 'how, not if' homes are built.

Sources said today's King Speech will include a new Planning Bill which will curb residents' ability to block controversial developments.

Areas of the Green Belt deemed 'low quality' will be re-designated as 'Grey Belt' and released for development. 

Local authorities will also be required to identify land for building.

The Prime Minister has pledged to 'take the brakes off Britain' with a string of growth-boosting measures to be unveiled in today's speech.

Decisions on key infrastructure projects, such as the miles of pylons to link new windfarms to the grid, will increasingly be handed to ministers.

Other measures will include legislation to begin the re-nationalisation of the railways and controversial class-war plans to impose VAT on private schools.

It is expected to be one of the biggest legislative packages for years, containing at least 35 Bills and draft Bills.

Speaking ahead of today's State Opening of Parliament, the PM said: 'Now is the time to take the brakes off Britain. 

'For too long people have been held back, their paths determined by where they came from – not their talents and hard work.

'I am determined to create wealth for people up and down the country. It is the only way our country can progress, and my government is focused on supporting that aspiration.

'Today's new laws will take back control and lay the foundations of real change that this country is crying out for, creating wealth in every community and making people better off – supporting their ambitions, hopes and dreams.'

Other measures expected in today's speech include:

• Scrapping anti-strike laws and introducing a new package of 'workers' rights'
•  Legislation to set up a state-owned energy company GB Energy which will drive investment in green power projects such as solar and wind farms
• A package of electoral reform, including booting out hereditary peers and starting the process for introducing votes at 16
• A Criminal Justice Bill, including tougher powers on shoplifting and an extension of the ban on zombie knives
• A Border Security Bill to allow the new Border Security Command to use counter-terrorism powers to help break the people-smuggling gangs
• A Renters Reform Bill to ban no-fault evictions and force landlords to deal with mouldy flats
• The revival of Rishi Sunak's plan to prevent anyone born after 2009 from ever buying cigarettes

Government sources said today's package would reflect Labour's manifesto pledge to kick-start the economy and generate the highest growth in the G7 by the end of this Parliament.

But the scale of the challenge was underlined yesterday when the International Monetary Fund left its UK growth forecast unchanged, predicting growth of 1.5 per cent next year.

Economist Dennis Shen, of Scope Ratings, said the Government would need a 'growth miracle' to avoid having to either raise taxes or cut spending.

Rishi Sunak last night acknowledged that Labour had 'tapped into the public's desire for change, but added: 'They must now deliver change and we on this side of the House will hold them accountable for delivering on the commitments they made to the British people.'

The Tory leader added that his party would hold the Government to its promise not to raise taxes, adding: 'They can't now claim that things are worse than they thought and renege on these pledges.'

Ministers were tight-lipped about the precise detail of the planning changes ahead of today's speech, which will be delivered by King Charles this morning. 

But a Government source said the Bill would 'speed up and streamline the planning process,' adding that planning reform was 'central to the Government's plans to strengthen economic growth'.

The source added: 'By enabling democratic engagement with how, not if, homes and infrastructure are built, the major brakes on the planning system will be addressed to support sustainable growth.' 

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced last week that the Government will bring back mandatory housebuilding targets. 

Councils will also be ordered to designate land for development in their local plans.

Labour's manifesto states that communities should still be allowed to 'shape housebuilding in their area', but suggests they will lose their veto over development.

It says that 'where necessary' ministers 'will not be afraid to make full use of intervention powers to build the houses we need'.

The party has committed to a 'brownfield-first' approach to housebuilding but said brownfield sites alone 'will not be enough to meet our housing need'.

Plans for the 'strategic' release of Green Belt land and the redesignation of areas as 'Grey Belt' have alarmed campaigners.

Lizzie Bundred-Woodward, of the countryside charity CPRE, said the group supported the ambition to build more homes.

But she added: 'We urgently need some clarity on Labour's definition of Grey Belt. The Green Belt is the countryside next door for 30million people in towns and cities across the UK.

'It is crucial for food security, nature recovery, climate change mitigation alongside mental and physical wellbeing.

'We'll always advocate for recycling previously developed land than eating away at the Green Belt.'