The forthcoming legislative year was laid out today, as the King delivered his annual speech to parliament, revealing the Labour Government’s proposed new laws and measures.
Two key pieces of legislation – the Building Safety Remediation Bill and the Late Payment Bill – will have been noted by the construction sector, the former introduces fixed timeframes for remediation on high-risk buildings.
Its ratification was welcomed by the CIOB, with CEO Amanda Hills hoping it would lead to further progress around building safety. “While a Construction Regulator Bill was not mentioned in the King’s Speech, we expect to see proposals come forward as part of the Government’s wider legislative programme following the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. CIOB has long called for clearer accountability and a stronger regulatory framework for both construction and building safety.”
The Late Payment Bill, meanwhile, will be a relief for smaller businesses affected by slow remittance from clients. “It is encouraging to see continued action on late payments, which continue to put huge pressure on SMEs across construction,” Hills sad Figures show the industry has experienced the highest number of insolvencies in any 12-month period.
Further response from professional bodies
The Royal Institute of British Architects also expressed disappointment that the King’s Speech did not include legislation relating to a single construction regulator.
RIBA president Chris Williamson said: “While the announcement of forthcoming Bills on EU alignment and bolstering social housing delivery are positive, it’s frustrating to see no legislative measures relating to the Single Construction Regulator.
“The Government has missed an opportunity to demonstrate real progress on this agenda, instead leaving uncertainty around how and when critical reforms will be delivered.”
While a Construction Regulator Bill was not mentioned in the King’s Speech, we expect to see proposals come forward
Victoria Hills
Williamson said RIBA had recently published its own proposals for reform, including restricting certain safety-critical work to suitably competent chartered professionals and establishing a Built Environment Council to oversee the system.
“This is about creating a more transparent regulatory framework for public protection, and we look forward to working with Government to see it realised,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors welcomed the prominence given to the built and natural environment in the legislative programme.
RICS said proposals linked to major infrastructure projects, including the Civil Aviation Bill, Highways (Financing) Bill and Northern Powerhouse Rail Bill, had the potential to support economic growth and improve outcomes for communities across the UK.
The institution also backed further action on unsafe cladding and leasehold reform, but stressed that delivery would require close collaboration between government and industry.
“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 said in a statement.
