Born Free is deeply disappointed at the government’s decision to omit any meaningful commitments to nature protection or animal welfare from today’s King’s Speech.

At a time when wildlife faces unprecedented pressures, the absence of even a passing reference to the government’s stated ambitions for nature and animals represents a troubling retreat from promises made only months ago.

In its 2024 election manifesto, the Labour party promised to “improve access to nature, promote biodiversity, and protect our landscapes and wildlife.” As recently as December 2025, DEFRA published its Animal Welfare Strategy for England, a document that set out a series of commitments intended to raise standards, strengthen protections, and position the UK as a global leader in animal welfare.