Leaders from across the built environment sector share their reactions to the new UK government's legislative programme announced in The King's Speech with FM Magazine.
Facilities Management Sector
Chris Townsend, Senior HR Director UK & Ireland for global facility services provider ABM, comments: "The facilities management market was recently valued at over £150 billion in the UK and Ireland by Mintel and although technology plays a significant part in its advancement, this is a people focussed industry.
"For that reason, the focus on skills delivered in the King's speech was welcomed by myself and my colleagues at ABM.
The sector has faced a severe skills shortage for a number of years, something we have invested in through our grass roots social mobility programme, the Junior Engineering Engagement Programme.
Despite having over 700 graduates from the scheme who are excited about facilities management as a potential career - more needs to be done.
We look forward to hearing how Skills England will assist businesses like ours in creating a pipeline of talent ready to reap the benefits of a career in the sector.
"With a team of over 10,000 in the UK and Ireland, ABM is a major employer. We are proactive in utilising our Apprenticeship Levy funds for developing our team members with over 100 active learners on Levy funded programmes this year alone.
We also work with a range of social value initiatives and partners to which we transfer unspent funds: while this will remain a part of our strategy, any changes to Apprenticeship Levy funding that bring more flexibility, allowing more of our team members to benefit would be welcomed."
Corps Security CEO Mike Bullock, writes: "Yesterday, our Royal Patron and Chief Life Governor King Charles III addressed the nation for the first time following the appointment of a Labour Government.
His speech outlined many proposed bills that would impact the daily lives of everyone in the United Kingdom, and we are especially hopeful that his mention of Martyn’s Law, otherwise known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, means that it will finally be passed.
"The legislation was proposed in December 2022 to strengthen the safety requirements in venues that hold over 100 people.
Seven years ago, the Manchester Arena bomb attack took the lives of 22 people, including Martyn Hett, the son of Figen Murray.
For the past five years, Figen has tirelessly campaigned for this bill to finally become law.
On the seventh anniversary in May, members of Corps, including Corps Consult executive director Mike Bluestone, joined her to raise awareness and march 200 miles from Manchester to London.
"Figen’s determined campaigning to strengthen security services across the nation has received renewed attention, as she has received a letter of commitment from Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
We hope that with our Monarch’s support and the support of the government, we will finally see the promise of Martyn's Law honoured, for the safety of our nation.
"We also welcome the introduction of legislation to crack down on the anti-social behaviours officers can encounter, and the Draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill to ensure that minority ethnic and disabled people are paid fairly.
As staunch Real Living Wage advocates and an employer of an incredible and diverse workforce, we will continue to support all workers being treated fairly."
Also addressing the future needs of the security sector, Kieran Mackie, Managing Director of Amulet Security - the security service operated by Churchill Group, says: "The King’s speech supports multiple bills that could enhance the work of our security officers.
We of course welcome the mention of Martyn’s Law, or the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, which would bring enhanced safety powers to venues holding over 100 people.
The Bill would help ensure that events like the attack at Manchester Arena or the Brixton O2 Academy crowd crush could never happen again.
"The King also outlined new crime legislation to crack down on anti-social behaviour, which would significantly aid the work our officers do.
"We also welcome the plans to franchise bus services.
Our TravelSafe Enforcement Officers have been successfully deployed in the franchised bus services of Greater Manchester, and new powers for local leaders could further improve the safety of passengers on public transport.
"The plans to bring train operators into public ownership are also expected to enhance the efficiency of rail networks.
Our employees operate on rail networks throughout the country and increased efficiency will improve their ability to keep commuters safe on their travels.
"We hope that Bills like Martyn’s Law can finally be progressed after years of delays and welcome any developments that enhance the work of our officers."
Turning to the waste sector, Michael Topham, Biffa CEO, says: “Although the King’s Speech did not contain specific legislation about waste, recycling or the circular economy, there are key policies already in play such as the Plastic Tax, Simpler Recycling, Extended Producer Responsibility and the Deposit Return Scheme that the industry is working with the Government to implement.
“What we need now is a period of certainty to enable the waste sector to deliver the investment it needs.
“Overall, we were pleased to see a focus on delivering green infrastructure and secure energy, and we look forward to seeing further detail on what this may mean for energy from waste, sustainable aviation fuels, electrification of fleets, and other alternative fuels.”
Logistics, Transport & Supply Chain Industry
Members of The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT UK) Public Policy Committee have shared predominantly favourable responses to the new Labour government's legislative programme for the logistics, transport and supply chain industry with FM Magazine.
CILT UK, Director of Public Policy and Communications, Daniel Parker-Klein,writes: “The King’s speech signals a recognition by the new government of the transformative opportunities provided by the transport, logistics and the wider supply chain.
“We welcome the government’s ambition contained with the Bills announced today and the prominent position our profession plays within them.
“The government is seeking to improve both local and national transport links, empower local decision making with greater devolution, to focus on net zero and sustainable energy, to increase the provision of housing and to improve the skills landscape to enable all this to be delivered.
“Much work needs to be done to achieve this ambition and there is a great deal of detail to explore, but we welcome the opportunity to work closely with the government providing an expert, professional balanced perspective.”
Paul Le Blond, Aviation Policy Group Chair, comments: "We welcome the proposed Sustainable Aviation Fuel (Revenue Support Mechanism) Bill, we reiterate our calls for maintaining established long-term policies to mandate the proportion of fuel that is SAF alongside other measures to achieve net zero, including supporting the development of zero emission aircraft and operational improvements, all in the context of international agreements."
Dominic Scholfield, Environment Policy Group Chair, adds: "We cautiously welcome this government's stated intention to review the planning system and urge that they take the opportunity to push for (a) more local service provision to reduce the need to travel, and (b) better standards regarding active travel infrastructure as part of new developments.
We also urge that they strengthen the cross-department work on planning, energy and transport to deliver faster rollout of infrastructure for electric vehicles, from cars to trucks, and to leverage smart charging as a solution to matching supply and demand as they move to more renewable energy on the grid."
Ian Wainwright, Freight and Logistics Policy Group Chair, highlights the potential impact from removing 'red tape' as a barrier to new infrastructure, saying: “We welcome the potential of a Planning and Infrastructure Bill, especially if it provides for speedier development of critical transport infrastructure, facilitates and more transparent planning decisions.
We would urge the new Government to take on board the CILT response to the DfT October 2023 Consultation on Freight and Logistics and the Planning System, where we identified the need for changes to planning controls and for guidance on freight and logistics facilities of national significance.
“We also broadly welcome an English Devolution Bill, especially if it encourages greater provision and coordination of passenger services.
However, the details of the Bill and retaining Central Government oversight will be critical.
Less than 50% of England is currently covered by such devolution deals and the need to decarbonise transport, especially freight and logistics, requires national solutions.
“I would hope that the Skills England Bill recognises the benefits of Generation Logistics, helps to develop the next generation of logistics professionals, and addresses the shortage of freight and logistics knowledge amongst planners and regulators.”
Paul Lulham, South East Regional Chair, considers The King's Speech from a Transport Planning and South East Regional perspective, commenting: “Whilst we welcome the emphasis in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill on simplifying the consenting process for major infrastructure projects and improving the resourcing and performance of local planning authorities, it is vital that this is accompanied by the reinstatement of regional planning, to ensure that a firmer link is established between development and infrastructure, thereby achieving truly sustainable growth of the right type in the right places.”
His sentiments are mirrored by Julian Worth, Rail Freight Forum Chair, who adds, "I welcome the confirmation of rail reform and urge the government in its first 100 days to:
Martin Fleetwood, Strategic Rail Policy Group Chair, brings additional perspective on the unique requirements of the rail transportation industry, telling FM Magazine: “We would encourage any light rail solutions to remain within the GBR balance sheet and not become local authority obligations just because it is light rail.
We also look forward to seeing proposals for fares and ticketing solutions to accompany the transfer of passenger services to national ownership and/or operation.”
The mobility needs of disabled people are uppermost in the mind of Ann Frye, Accessibility and Inclusion Forum Chair, who writes: “We urge the Government to ensure that the access and mobility needs of disabled and older people are integral to the thinking, planning and delivery of change across all transport modes.”
Commenting specifically on provision made in The King's Speech for a 'Better Bus Bill', Mike Scott, Bus and Coach Policy Group Vice Chair, says: "For buses, the proposed Better Buses Bill will allow English local authorities to set up their own bus companies to operate services and compete for contracts. This not only equalizes English legislation with the municipal operator provisions in Scotland, it also allows local authorities to take steps to tackle competition deserts where there is little or no competitive market for socially necessary bus service contracts."
Planning Law
Proposed changes to UK planning law are a focus for Ifath Nawaz, Senior Consultant Solicitor Planning at law firm Setfords, who comments: “While we welcome the proposed improvements to the planning system, which has been neglected for many years, there are real concerns that without significant new resources to support Local Authorities, the ambitious housebuilding targets in the King’s Speech cannot be delivered.
Local Authorities are already struggling to attract the expertise needed in their planning departments to handle the current workload, let alone an anticipated increase in new housing developments.
“As well as more resources, they need enhanced enforcement powers to get the homes built once developments are approved, to overcome the local objections that so often frustrate new housing.
We have seen in London and Manchester the benefits of powers being devolved to local administrations.
The Government’s housebuilding ambitions can only be achieved with more investment and resources, particularly for local government.”
Construction & Residential Property
Veriforce CHAS Managing Director, Ian McKinnon, comments: “We welcome the new government's commitment to revitalising Britain's construction sector and the employment opportunities it promises to create.
However, it is crucial to prioritise health and safety throughout this process, especially in light of recent HSE statistics showing a concerning rise in construction-related fatalities.
“With the right support, such as that provided by CHAS Foundation and our other membership levels, construction startups and established contractors with an appetite for growth can ensure they embed safe and responsible work practices into their operations from the outset, helping to meet new building targets.”
“We are also ready to support clients and main contractors in finding qualified tradespeople and sub-contractors through our free contractor management platform, VeriforceONE.”
David Hannah, Group Chairman of Cornerstone Tax, adds: “Labour’s plans are incredibly ambitious, no doubt about that, however, there remain several important elements that are yet to be addressed.
It’s been described by some commentators as a ‘War on NIMBYs’ and it’s not hard to see why.
The decision to cut red tape and remove blockages to planning make for good soundbites, but we have little clarity as to what this means in practice.
Will Labour ignore the concerns of local residents in favour of the ‘greater good’?
It remains to be seen.
“Labour must also address the ‘Developer-shaped’ Elephant in the room.
For years private developers have been plagued with high interest rates and an ever-increasing tax burden.
Earlier this year, a CMA probe found that several major firms had been persistently under delivering on their housing targets, perhaps due to a chronic lack of working capital.
Developers cannot simply ramp up their output overnight, the new government must create new incentives for the sector, and punitive housing targets are not the way to go.
“Private developers ought to be offered a tax break for the vital services that they provide, encouraging new entrants to the market whilst also stimulating further economic growth.”
