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The 5 policies UKGBC wants to see in the King's Speech

The King's Speech is a key opportunity for this new government to outline their areas of focus, and make the transformation of our built environment for the benefit of our climate and communities a priority.

The King鈥檚 Speech is the first big opportunity to put in place some of the key legislative changes needed to upgrade Britain鈥檚 homes and buildings and ensure new developments are part of the solution to the cost of living, climate and nature crises, not the problem.  

We鈥檙e looking for announcements to drive urgent progress across five areas:听

1. Make home upgrades an easy choice听听

    • Action to raise the quality of privately rented homes. Introduce minimum energy efficiency standards for the private rented sector requiring landlords to achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C by 2030.听
    • Extend Awaab鈥檚 Law to the private rented sector to give tenants more protection from damp and mould.听
    • End 鈥榥o fault鈥� evictions to protect tenants including after investment properties are upgraded for energy efficiency and low carbon energy.听
    • Devolution of powers to local authorities on skills, energy networks and planning to allow them to move further and faster on climate and nature protection.听
    • Introduce powers to 鈥榬ebalance鈥� social and environmental levies on energy bills away from electricity bills and onto general taxation.听

    2. Make new developments high quality, well connected and green听

      • Introduce restrictions on the embodied carbon emissions from construction from 2028.听

      3. Protect our communities from climate risks听

        • Protect and restore fragile watercourses while ensuring any necessary developments proceed with updated nutrient neutrality legislation.听
        • Ensure the National Wealth Fund drives investment into urgent climate resilience and nature protection.听

        4. Renew our town centres听

          • Introduce minimum energy efficiency standards for commercial buildings, requiring large commercial buildings to reach an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) B rating by 2030.听
          • Modernise the Landlord and Tenant Act to require new leases of commercial properties to include 鈥榞reen lease clauses鈥� to accelerate retrofits.听听

          5. Planning and investment听

            • Align the English planning system in law to the Climate Change and Environment Acts so that all planning decisions are consistent with the UK鈥檚 Net Zero goals, protect communities and infrastructure from climate hazards, and contribute to nature restoration. This can help the new Government deliver on a number of priorities:听
            • Reduce conflict and objections, inconsistency in decisions and help navigate decisions around green belt.听
            • Fast track solar and the shift to clean power – removing outdated restrictions on rooftop solar, heat pumps, double glazing and other low-carbon measures on existing buildings.听听
            • Ensure new developments keep communities and infrastructure safe from climate risks including flooding and overheating.听
            • Utilise the National Wealth Fund and GB Energy to drive investment into decarbonising homes, infrastructure and supply chains.听
            • Include energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation in the remit of the new National Energy System Operator.听

            Policy & Advocacy

            UKGBC works with our members and with policymakers at all levels across the UK to advocate for a built environment that meets the challenges of the climate and ecological crises
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