The King’s Speech has set out plans for the government to introduce a Remediation Bill to accelerate the repair work on high-risk buildings with unsafe cladding.
As part of the state opening of Parliament, the King announced the Remediation Bill, which will introduce a legal obligation to “identify, assess and fix” buildings without delay. The Bill could also see those responsible for the buildings facing criminal prosecution in the most severe cases for failing to carry out the work.
The Bill would also make it possible for a third party, such as Homes England, to handle the remediation work in cases where the responsible party is not acting.
Construction product manufacturers will also be ordered to contribute towards remediation costs and set a “nationally consistent approach to remediation work” by setting the framework for how external wall assessments are handled.
As part of his speech, the King also announced plans for a Social Housing Renewal Bill, which he said would “increase long-term investment in social housing” by incentivising the building of more social homes and protecting existing stock.
This would include changes to the Right to Buy scheme, increasing the eligibility requirement to 10 years and creating an exemption for newly built social housing for 35 years, while also ensuring that councils and other potential buyers are notified before social homes are sold to give more opportunities to retain stock.
The government will also look to boost investment by reducing “unnecessary bureaucracy”, repealing measures such as charging higher income tenants higher rents, grant fixed term tenancies and requirements for local authorities to sell high-value homes.
As part of the plans announced by the King, a Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill would be introduced, which would include the capping of ground rents. The Bill will set out a new legal framework for commonhold and make it the default tenure for flat schemes, banning the use of leasehold for new flat schemes.
Melanie Leech CBE, interim chief executive, Real Estate:UK, said: “The real estate industry is facing numerous significant headwinds, and construction is at a standstill across most of the country because it is not viable to build. In these circumstances, whilst the UK remains a preferred destination for both domestic and global capital, investors are unwilling to commit new funds without greater economic and political stability, including clear signals from the government that they will take the necessary steps to bridge the viability gap, reduce the costs of development and deliver on the promise that the UK will ‘build, build, build’. Sadly, a combination of last week’s local election results changing the landscape and bringing uncertainty in many areas, and the ongoing speculation about leadership, means that the reverse is true.”
“While there are welcome measures in today’s King’s Speech, particularly the intent to speed up grid connections, the government has not set out the bold vision for economic and social renewal that is needed and that will unlock investment. Indeed, investors may be further discouraged by the focus on measures such as leasehold reform and retentions within the construction sector.”
Cllr Louise Gittins, chair of the Local Government Association, said: “Local government is at its best when it is empowered, properly funded, and recognised as an equal partner in delivering national reform. Strong local leadership and collaboration with communities are essential to turning national ambitions into meaningful change on the ground.”
“The LGA therefore looks forward to working constructively with government, parliamentarians and key stakeholders, to ensure legislation set out in today’s King’s Speech – including on SEND reform, social housing, asylum, neighbourhood health, and community safety – is workable and delivers real benefits for local communities.”
“As legislation progresses through parliament, our priority will be to shape reforms that strengthen place-based leadership, encourage genuine collaboration across public services, and enable councils to continue improving outcomes for residents.”
