The King’s Speech: A Government Agenda for Growth

Labour put promoting economic growth at the heart of their election manifesto, with housing and infrastructure delivery seen as the key to achieving that aim. With the King’s Speech Labour have held true to that promise with the confirmation of a Planning and Infrastructure Bill as well as the English Devolution Bill (two Bills amongst the 35 announced), which will help speed up decision-making.

We are yet to know when these Bills will be presented to Parliament and the exact detail of what they will contain, but what we do know is that Labour is intent on showing that it means business.  “Securing economic growth will be a fundamental mission” as declared within the King’s Speech, and speed of delivery is crucial to that mission.

We already know that housing targets are to be reinstated and that a re-evaluation of the Green Belt is to take place, with the introduction of the term ‘Grey Belt’. The devil will be in the detail though as the Government will need to clearly define what they perceive to be Grey Belt – a term that pleasingly seems to be increasingly dominating the conversation since the 4^th July, as opposed to the ‘green and pleasant land’ that so many, incorrectly, ascribe to the Green Belt. Grey Belt should in theory be much easier to define than the nebulous concept of ‘beauty’ that Michael Gove made the centre-piece of his planning agenda.

The Times today (17^th July) has also reported that planning measures we can expect to see include a presumption in favour of development where land has been identified by Local Authorities. The press release issued by Number 10 on the King’s Speech reconfirms this report stating that “by enabling democratic engagement with how, not if, homes and infrastructure are built – the major brakes on the planning system will be addressed to support sustainable growth.”.

It is not just the Planning and Infrastructure Bill that will be vital to those working within the planning and development sector. The English Devolution Bill will also play a key role.

Yesterday (16^th July), Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, “pledged to kickstart a new devolution revolution”, noting that it is no coincidence that one of the UK’s fastest growing areas over the last twenty years, Manchester, has also benefited from devolution (and the deeper powers that come with that) for the longest. Rayner wants to see new mayors introduced with greater planning powers to determine growth in their own area. Passing greater local autonomy to people, should, in theory increase growth and productivity. But this can only be realised if the greater powers are used to promote, rather than stifle growth.

Ultimately, the greater devolution of power and planning reform need to go hand-in-hand with a change of rhetoric. The mindset needs to change. The increasing use of Grey Belt as a concept is a big step in the right direction. Let’s hope that Labour continues how they have started. The promise of change is there, let’s see it realised.