King’s Speech 2026 keeps the built and natural environment centre of government’s agenda

The King’s Speech 2026 marks the second under the Labour government, with 29 bills and draft bills announced, as well as 8 carry-over bills from the last parliamentary session.

The speech comes at a febrile time for the government and more pointedly, Sir Keir Starmer, following challenging local and devolved election results and a swathe of ministerial resignations in recent days.

Following on from Sir Keir Starmer’s speech on Monday 11^th in which he pledged to set out “a platform on which we can build” closer links with the EU, one of the key announcements of the King’s Speech was the UK’s ambitions to move closer to the EU, with the announcement of a European Partnership Bill.  This was accompanied by other announcements, such as the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill and an Energy Independence Bill.

Notable omissions within this King’s Speech include a Welfare Reform Bill and a Standalone Nature Protection Planning Bill. In addition, while apprenticeships were mentioned within the speech, including an apprenticeship plan, there are no bills related to apprenticeships or reforms of the Apprenticeship Levy; however, the government will respond to the upcoming Milburn Review.

In terms of the built and natural environment, there were several prominent bills announced, as well as commitments to increase long-term investment in social housing and reform the leasehold system, including by capping ground rents.

Key bill’s and announcements within the King’s Speech include:

• Remediation Bill: Construction product manufacturers will be required to contribute to fixing unsafe buildings, backed by criminal sanctions where necessary. The bill introduces a new system for external wall assessments and a remediation backstop to ensure works are completed where landlords fail to act. Delivers on the government’s commitment to resolve the cladding crisis.
• Social Housing Renewal Bill: Introduces measures to increase long-term investment in social housing. Putting in measures to protect existing stock, increase protections for tenants in instances of domestic abuse and reduce bureaucracy and provide regulatory certainty.
• Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill: Will ban leasehold for most new flats and establish a new legal framework for commonhold. Reforms include capping ground rents at £250 annually before reducing to a peppercorn after 40 years, abolishing forfeiture, simplifying lease extensions and enfranchisement, and creating a new right for leaseholders to request improvements. Applies to England and Wales.
• Energy Independence Bill: Establishes a framework to accelerate the transition to renewable and nuclear energy. Includes reforms to planning and regulation for offshore wind, hydrogen and smart grids, stronger consumer protections, improved energy efficiency standards for rented homes, and targeted support for vulnerable households. Also commits to no new oil, gas or coal licences and bans fracking.
• Clean Water Bill: Creates a new integrated water regulator and Water Ombudsman, strengthens oversight of water companies, and introduces additional protections on water quality and performance.
• Highways (Financing) Bill: Introduces a new funding model to accelerate major road projects, including the Lower Thames Crossing, using private investment alongside regulatory oversight.
• Civil Aviation Bill: Introduced to unlock the benefits of airport expansion. The Bill will strengthen consumer rights and protections, promote economic growth and infrastructure provision.
• Northern Powerhouse Rail Bill: Provides powers to upgrade and electrify rail routes across the North of England and deliver the Crewe–Manchester section of HS2, including links to Manchester Airport and Manchester Piccadilly.
• Nuclear Regulation Bill: Modernises regulation and planning processes to accelerate the delivery of new nuclear energy infrastructure while maintaining environmental protections.
• Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill: Gives government powers to bring steel undertakings into public ownership where deemed in the national interest, supporting the future of the UK steel industry.
   

Responding to the King’s Speech 2026, RICS said: “It was great to see the built and natural environment featuring prominently in the King’s Speech, with a number of important measures that have the potential to support economic growth and improve outcomes for communities across the UK.

It was also encouraging to see commitments on major infrastructure projects through the Civil Aviation Bill, Highways (Financing) Bill and Northern Powerhouse Rail Bill, recognising the vital role infrastructure plays in supporting the wider economy. We also welcome further action to support residents living in buildings with unsafe cladding and delivering meaningful reforms for leaseholders.

"Delivering on these ambitions will require close collaboration between government and industry, as well as the professional expertise needed to turn policy into practical outcomes. RICS continues to work with the UK Government to drive forward crucial measures that will improve the built and natural environment and outcomes for professionals and consumers.”