Influence and Advocacy Monthly Update – April 2025

Over the past month, RICS has been actively engaging with UK Government departments, devolved administrations, and parliamentary committees to shape vital areas of policy concerning the built and natural environment. Our advocacy has spanned key themes including planning reform through the Planning & Infrastructure Bill, advancing decarbonisation across the built environment, and influencing emerging building safety regulations.

Planning, Infrastructure and Housing Delivery

RICS has been at the forefront of influencing the UK Government’s Planning & Infrastructure Bill—a crucial piece of legislation for accelerating infrastructure delivery and housing development.

• Parliamentary Evidence on the Bill: Faraz Baber FRICS MRTPI represented RICS during the Bill’s committee evidence session, emphasising the need to streamline planning processes while ensuring community and environmental safeguards. This aligns closely with RICS’ position on enabling the creation of 1.5 million new homes through smarter, more efficient planning reform.
• Land Value Capture: Jeremy Aston FRICS gave evidence to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee on reforms to land value capture. RICS advocated for standardised Section 106 agreements, improved data infrastructure, and the value of Alternative Dispute Resolution—contributing practical recommendations to support the housing delivery target.
• Land Use: RICS responded to the governments consultation on land use, calling for a broader and more integrated Land Use Framework (LUF) in England that goes beyond agricultural land to encompass all land types, recognising the multifunctionality of land and the strategic importance of sectors like minerals, energy, and housing. We urge clear alignment with existing planning systems, better data infrastructure, and the establishment of a National Spatial Strategy to manage competing land demands effectively.
   

These interventions underline RICS’ thought leadership in ensuring planning and infrastructure reforms are viable, strategic, and rooted in professional expertise.

Sustainability and Decarbonisation

Sustainability remains central to RICS’ policy engagement, with activities spanning housing, public sector infrastructure, and construction.

• Improving PRS Energy Performance: RICS is responding to DESNZ’s consultation on raising EPC standards in the private rented sector to EPC C by 2030. RICS, supported by member insight is helping to shape our response - including calls for government to integrate reforms with the proposed expansion of the Decent Homes Standard to the PRS, urgently respond to the consultation given the propose 2028 start date for new tenancies, and give greater flexibility on the cost-cap
• Energy Transition Inquiry: RICS submitted evidence to the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee, highlighting our consumer research on retrofit motivations and the role of the new RICS Residential Retrofit Standard and consumer guide in driving uptake.
• Decarbonising Northern Ireland’s Schools: We are advising the Education Authority on applying Whole Life Carbon Assessment to new school builds, supporting Northern Ireland’s net-zero ambitions through evidence-based practice.
• Optimising Northern Ireland’s Rating System: Through consultation responses, RICS has promoted fairer, data-driven rating approaches that support both climate action and fiscal responsibility.
• Retrofit expansion: We’re also promoting residential retrofit standards to the NI Housing Executive to ensure safe and sustainable upgrades across the estate of Northern Ireland’s largest landlord.
• Welsh Timber Industrial Strategy: RICS contributed to the Welsh Government’s timber strategy consultation, advocating for the integration of Whole Life Carbon Assessment and professional valuation standards to promote the circular economy – which follows on from our work with Defra on their Timber in Construction plan.
• Scottish EPC Lodgement Fees and Penalty: We responded to the consultation on EPC lodgement fees and penalties. We outlined our wish to engage with the Scottish Government during the review process to ensure that the audit and inspection function is workable, fair, and delivers on its intended objectives without imposing undue burdens on property owners or professionals involved in the EPC process.
  
  

Building Safety

With building safety reform progressing across nations, RICS has reinforced the value of professional standards and member insight in shaping safer outcomes.

• EWS1 and market health: RICS met with Alex Norris MP, Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Local Growth, and mortgage industry leaders, to discuss market conditions in high-rise blocks and the buying and selling process. This included updates on EWS1 and the future of the process.
• Across devolved nations: RICS participated in the Scottish Cladding Remediation Working Group and continued contributing to the Home Report Review, enhancing consumer understanding and safety. In Northern Ireland, we engaged with the Department for Communities centred on developing specific building safety legislation, particularly in relation to fire risk. Meanwhile in Wales, with confirmation the Welsh Building Safety Bill will be published later this year, we are continuing to work with officials and industry leaders to shape the legislation to create consistency for professionals working across the border and ensure a joined-up approach with UK Government and the proposed Construction Regulator.
• RAAC Guide Collaboration: RICS and IstructE are co-developing a consumer-facing guide on Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC), enhancing public awareness and reinforcing the role of surveyors in identifying risk.
   

Cross-Government Engagement and Data-Driven Insight

RICS has significantly strengthened its advisory relationships across government departments and devolved authorities.

• Cabinet Office Briefings: We provided economic trend data across residential, commercial, and construction sectors, with further input planned on the implications of international trade tariffs—a key issue for cost planning and materials procurement.
• City & Guilds Collaboration: By sharing skills data and insight, RICS is helping shape a report on the skills shortage linked to delivering 1.5 million new homes, which strengthens our calls for the creation of a Built Environment GCSE.
• Rent Smart Wales: We are developing sector-wide training for agents and landlords, demonstrating how professional bodies like RICS can elevate standards and compliance in the PRS.
• Social Housing Qualifications: RICS continues to work with DLUHC on professional qualification standards for social housing managers, ensuring that RICS professional expertise is formally recognised in new regulatory frameworks.