UK Influence and Advocacy Update - June 2025

UK Influence and Advocacy Monthly Update – June 2025

As the built environment continues to take centre stage in the UK Government’s agenda, RICS has remained at the forefront—advocating for sustainable growth, resilient infrastructure, and inclusive policy development. June has been a pivotal month, marked by significant government announcements, strategic engagements across the UK, and continued collaboration with industry and public sector partners.

Infrastructure and Industrial Strategies: A Welcome Step Forward

RICS welcomed the UK Government’s new infrastructure and industrial strategies, which outlines a long-term vision for modernising national infrastructure and industry priorities. RICS CEO Justin Young emphasised the importance of aligning these strategies with delivery mechanisms that are both sustainable and efficient. Commenting on the Infrastructure Strategy publication, he stressed that “the plan must be underpinned by robust data, skilled professionals, and a commitment to net zero.”

Last year, RICS worked with members to shape our response to the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy. RICS continues to advocate for a joined-up approach, that integrates housing, transport, energy, and digital infrastructure—ensuring that investment decisions are future-proof and community-focused.

Spending Review: Prioritising the Built Environment

In response to the June 2025 Spending Review, RICS reiterated the need for targeted investment in housing, retrofit, and skills development. Justin Young highlighted the opportunity to “unlock economic growth through the built environment,” calling for funding that supports both innovation and delivery on the ground.

RICS also stressed the importance of maintaining momentum on building safety reforms and ensuring that public procurement supports SMEs and regional economies.

Expert Evidence to the House of Lords Built Environment Committee

Charlotte Neal, Director of Professional Practice & Research gave expert evidence to the House of Lords Built Environment Committee on the delivery of new towns, including the investment and viability models to support their creation. Highlighting the need to ‘de-risk’ schemes to attract long-term private investment, she highlighted the importance of joined up decisions and clear visions for new places.

RICS also called for long-term political commitment, funding certainty, and strategic alignment between planning, infrastructure, and skills to deliver viable and resilient new towns. This must be supported by stronger public-private sector collaboration, community consultation, and integrated delivery models to create places where people genuinely want to live, work, and thrive.

Following the evidence session, a group of RICS members and industry experts attended a private meeting with members of the Committee to further enhance their understanding of the  complexities surrounding new towns and investment.

Engaging on skills at Westminster

RICS joined a roundtable with Lauren Edwards MP at Westminster. The discussion focused on the skills gap across the built environment sector and construction industry. Issues raised included perceptions around the industry, apprenticeships, challenges with early access routes, and solutions to mitigate these.

RICS was also present at the Apprenticeships APPG hearing from the new Chair of Sills England Phil Smith CBE. He delved into his priorities for Skills England including the importance of simplification and collaboration. RICS will continue to engage in this space and make the case for built environment skills across the pipeline.

National Housing Bank: A Promising Development

RICS welcomed the UK Government’s announcement of a National Housing Bank, designed to accelerate housing delivery and improve access to finance for SME developers. In its official statement, RICS called for the bank to be “strategically aligned with planning reform and local delivery mechanisms,” ensuring it supports both urban regeneration and rural development.

Law Commission publishes interim statement

The Law Commission published its provisional conclusion on the direction of reform relating to the security of tenure for business tenants. This relates to the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954. RICS has been engaging on this project for some time including directly with the Law Commission. RICS members representing different areas of the commercial property market have been supporting this programme of work, offering a wealth of expertise through a dedicated working group.

RICS recommended that the existing contracting-out model of statutory security of tenure is retained but importantly, on the basis that specific improvements are consulted on and approved during the second phase of the consultation. RICS welcomes the provisional conclusion that the existing contracting-out model is the right model.

EDI Commitment Deepens Across the Sector

RICS joined fellow built environment professional bodies in welcoming two new signatories to the EDI (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion) Commitment. This growing coalition reflects a shared determination to foster inclusive workplaces and ensure that the sector reflects the communities it serves.

Scotland: Collaboration at the Forefront

The RICS Scotland Conference convened at the University of Glasgow under the theme “Collaborating for future success – working together to better the built environment.” The event brought together leaders from across sectors to explore key issues including supply chain resilience, green energy, and housing delivery.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes MSP delivered a keynote address, highlighting the Scottish Government’s commitment to working with RICS to accelerate progress on net zero, building safety, and infrastructure investment.

RICS also continued its work with the Cladding Remediation Working Group and contributed to the Home Report Review, reinforcing our commitment to consumer protection and member engagement.

Wales: Shaping Welsh legislation

The RICS Wales Conference also took place in July, with a record attendance. Speakers included the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, who discussed with members how the Well-being of Future Generations Act is having a significant impact on the Welsh built and natural environment, for example in how planning applications are now decided. All public sector bodies, and members working to deliver projects on their behalf, need to factor in future generations in what is the first-of-its-kind legislation in the world.

RICS responded to two key Welsh Government consultations this month:

• Permitted Development Rights (PDR): We supported reforms to expand PDR for heat pumps, EV charging, and emergency housing—measures that can help reduce planning backlogs and support sustainability goals.
• Non-Domestic Rates Avoidance: RICS cautioned against measures that could unintentionally penalise legitimate business decisions, such as voluntary liquidation, while supporting efforts to tackle deliberate avoidance practices.

Northern Ireland: Sharing member insight with government

RICS is engaging with Departments across the Northern Ireland Executive on issues relating to the built and natural environment and recently contributed member insight on the topic of developer contributions for wastewater infrastructure improvements.  The Department for Infrastructure is consulting with RICS and other stakeholders on the potential of novel funding mechanisms to unlock development and deliver additional housing in Northern Ireland.

Looking Ahead

As we move into the second half of 2025, RICS remains committed to influencing policy, supporting members, and championing the value of professionalism in the built environment.

In July, RICS will be giving evidence in Parliament on the the Building Safety Regulator and its impact on housing delivery, as well as the opportunities presented with the energy transition and communication with consumers. RICS will also be convening a meeting of those Chartered Surveyors in Parliament, to discuss how to use their expertise to shape the built and natural environment, and champion the surveying profession.