During the State Opening of Parliament, King Charles III has presented the highlights of the new Labour government legislative programme for the current session.

Without providing much detail at this stage, the King’s Speech unveiled 39 Bills and Draft Bills, which, according to the governement, "will support delivery of its mission to rebuild Britain". 

The package of bills aims to "grow the economy through better transport, more jobs and turbocharging building of houses and infrastructure".

The King announced that his government "will seek a new partnership with both business and working people, and help the country move on from the recent cost of living challenges by prioritising wealth creation for all communities".

Particularly of interest or relevant to the construction and merchanting industries, the King announced the establishment of an Industrial Strategy Council. The government aims to "get Britain building, including through planning reform", as it seeks to "accelerate the delivery of high-quality infrastructure and housing".

It aims to "pursue sustainable growth by encouraging investment in industry, skills and new technologies". It will legislate to ban exploitative practices and enhance employment rights. The government also will "seek to reset the relationship with European partners and work to improve the United Kingdom’s trade and investment relationship with the European Union". 

With regards to education, action will be taken to get people back in employment following the impact of the pandemic. The government will establish Skills England, which will have a new partnership with employers at its heart, and Ministers will reform the apprenticeship levy.

As promised by the King at the conclusion of his speech: other measures will be laid before Parliament as time goes by.

Rachel Hughes, Marketing Director at Wienerberger UK and Ireland, commented on the measures announced in the Speech: "The government’s commitment to "get Britain building" by reforming planning procedures marks a pivotal moment for the housing and construction industry.

"At Wienerberger, we welcome this renewed focus on accelerating housebuilding nationwide. While the King's Speech did not provide specific details on how the government intends to "turbocharge" housebuilding through these reforms, its prominent inclusion in the agenda signifies a proactive approach.

"The introduction of Skills England is particularly noteworthy. By fostering collaboration among the government, businesses, unions, and training providers, this initiative aims to cultivate a skilled workforce tailored to the needs of our evolving industry. With employers at the heart of this partnership, we can hope for a more robust pipeline of talent ready to drive innovation and excellence in housebuilding.

"The King's emphasis on "sustainable growth" and investment in industry, skills, and new technologies aligns perfectly with Wienerberger’s commitment to sustainable construction practices. It is heartening to see this priority reflected at the highest levels of government.

"We look forward to collaborating with our partners and stakeholders to achieve these goals, ensuring that the UK meets its housing needs while promoting economic and environmental well-being."