The King's Speech delivered by King Charles on July 17, outlines the Labour government's ambitious agenda for its new term, focusing on key legislative priorities that will impact the built environment and beyond.
Central to their plans is the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, aimed at unlocking housing and infrastructure development across England and Wales to support economic growth.
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Green energy initiatives feature prominently, with provisions in the bill targeting upgrades to the national grid and boosting renewable energy sources. The Great British Energy Bill aims to establish a publicly owned energy production company to lower energy costs, ensure energy independence, and create jobs.
The National Wealth Fund Bill proposes transformative investments nationwide, aligning with the government's clean energy objectives. Meanwhile, the English Devolution Bill seeks to empower local leaders with enhanced powers over planning, transport, and community assets, fostering local growth and community revitalisation.
Another important decision is the Crime and Policing Bill which has been positively received by retail authorities. New legislative proposals given in the King's Speech have been saluted for the 'positive impact' they will have on the local retail sector. Authorities highlighted the significance of this bill as a pivotal moment for protecting retail staff, amid a concerning rise in incidents of retail crime.
In employment, the government will introduce an Employment Rights Bill aimed at banning exploitative zero-hours contracts and enhancing workers' rights, such as removing qualifying periods for full employment rights and allowing employees to claim unfair dismissal from day one of a new job.