Speaking to the Houses of Parliament today, King Charles said: “My ministers will get Britain building, including through planning reform, as they seek to accelerate the delivery of high-quality infrastructure and housing.” 

These plans will be introduced as part of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. 

The government said this would help to provide more housing across the country and support sustained economic growth. 

In its manifesto, the Labour Party said it intended to deliver one-and-a-half million homes over the next five years, while Chancellor Rachel Reeves said “decisive reform” was needed in the planning system.

 

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More powers for local leaders 

The king also announced the English Devolution Bill, set to give local leaders more power over development in their communities. 

During his speech, he said: “My government believes that greater devolution of decision making is at the heart of a modern dynamic economy and is a key driver of economic growth, and my ministers will introduce an English Devolution Bill. Legislation will be introduced to give new powers to metro mayors and combined authorities. This will support local growth plans that bring economic benefit to communities.”

The government said the new legislation would “help to create wealth in every community and hand power back to local leaders”.

It added: “We’ll introduce a bill to move power out of Westminster and back to those who know their areas best – giving local leaders the tools they need to drive growth. New laws will give more powers to metro mayors and combined authorities, helping support local plans that bring wealth to communities.” 

Yesterday, Angela Rayner, Housing Secretary and deputy Prime Minister, wrote to local leaders asking them to work with the government to “take on powers in areas like transport, adult education and skills, housing and planning, and employment support”. 

Rayner hailed Greater Manchester, named one of the fastest growing economies in the UK, as a success of devolved powers. 

Last week, its mayor Andy Burnham introduced a Good Landlord Charter to improve rental standards beyond what is required by law, and detailed plans to deliver 75,000 new homes over the course of Parliament. 

Following the general election, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he would continue to lobby the government for a £2.2bn emergency stimulus for housing in the capital and said a “large chunk” of the one-and-a-half million homes promised should be delivered in the city.