The King’s Speech has laid out the new Labour government’s priorities, following the party’s general election victory.
The speech outlined 39 draft laws that minsters want to pass in the next parliamentary session, after their party’s return to power.
Planning reform, devolution, clean energy and attracting investment topped the list, with reforms to the leasehold system, NHS, police powers and public transport also taking precedent under Sir Keir Starmer’s plans.
Delivery of more housing is to be accelerated and changing existing planning laws – which were major parts of Labour’s campaign – are set to take shape over the coming months.
King Charles said: “My Ministers will get Britain building, including through planning reform, as they seek to accelerate the delivery of high quality infrastructure and housing [Planning and Infrastructure Bill]. They will also pursue sustainable growth by encouraging investment in industry, skills and new technologies.”
More draft laws from the speech
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A Mental Health Bill to tighten rules on sectioning people, and change the rules on care for people with learning difficulties
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A Children’s Wellbeing Bill forces England’s councils to keep registers of children not educated full-time in school, and deliver breakfast clubs for England’s primary schools
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A Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill to let police to use counter-terror powers to tackle gangs who smuggle migrants into the UK
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A Planning and Infrastructure Bill will streamline the process for approving critical infrastructure, and overhaul rules on the compulsory purchase of land
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A National Wealth Fund Bill will set up a new five-year fund which will see £7.3 billion invested in infrastructure and green industry
Reaction
Simon Peacock, head of regions at property advisory business, JLL, said: “Changes to the planning system will be the lifeblood of the economic growth the Labour government is targeting, but also crucial to addressing health and wellbeing inequalities the country faces because of housing shortages. That it has been outlined as a priority in this morning’s speech will be welcomed by the property industry and those supporting people in need of housing. Now the impetus is on action.”
Richard Beresford, chief executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), said: “It is refreshing to have a government which views its primary role as enabling growth and removing barriers because this ensures business and communities know they can be part of the strategy.
“The continued focus on planning reform should also be applauded because it has been almost a century since any government understood its role in enabling business growth, better places and a healthier, well-functioning society. It does feel as though country is being put before party.”
Adam Sivner, managing director in Houlihan Lokey’s Industrials Group, said: “The UK drastically needs a coherent and long-term focused industrial strategy. The country has a long-standing pedigree in various critical industries and remains a world leader in aerospace and defence, flow control, satellite communications technology, and electronic components, amongst others.
“Concurrently we are seeing significant investment in digitalisation and skilled labour on a global basis, which is making the UK less attractive to manufacture in. If the UK is to remain as a home to world leading manufacturers, then it will need a detailed investment strategy to help support these businesses in competing on the global stage and ensure they can resist being consolidated by larger acquirers.”
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