The UK Government has published the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill which aims to devolve power and give local leaders and communities the tools they need to make better places.

The Queen’s Speech, delivered today, 10 May 2022, focused on the scale of challenges facing the UK cost of living and energy crises, EU legislation still to be removed from the statute books and the impact of the war in Ukraine.

The UK Government’s legislative response to the Grenfell tragedy has now received Royal Assent but excludes some leaseholders from the new Building Safety Fund. Ministers had previously promised that leaseholders would be protected from the costs of cladding remediation, but landlords owning multiple properties have been prevented from accessing the fund as they are viewed as being of “significant wealth”.

Statistics show new-build completions in the year to June 2021 are up 10 per cent on the previous 12 months, but still well below pre-pandemic levels.

Propertymark calls on all parties ahead of the Northern Ireland elections in May to recognise the crucial role played by those in the property sector to meet the country's housing needs.

House of Lords Committee recommends greater devolution of decision making and funding to local levels to build blended communities post-COVID-19.

Propertymark urges the Northern Ireland Executive to review its assessment of housing need and demand to establish an accurate yet deliverable target, broken down by tenure.

New powers announced by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities will allow cladding companies to be sued and subject to fines for defective products, as protections for leaseholders are extended.

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove MP unveiled the UK Government’s Levelling Up White Paper which sets out a complete ‘system change’ of how government works to level up the UK.

The Bill's committee stage took place over 16 meetings starting on 9 September concluding on 26 October 2021. The remaining stages are due to take place in the Commons on Wednesday, 19 January, after which the Bill will move to the House of Lords.

The Welsh Government has set out revenue and capital spending for the next three years, focusing on supporting Wales’s economic recovery as it emerges from the pandemic, seeking to strengthen it in a sustainable way to deliver a greener Wales.

The Scottish Government sought views on their proposals to include the introduction of an energy target for new buildings, in addition to the current emissions target, as well as an uplift to the 2015 standard of energy efficiency for new buildings – both domestic and non-domestic.

Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has given his support to the private members Planning (Street Plans) Bill, that will allow residents to encourage the construction of new homes on suburban streets.

The Budget 2022-2023, announced 9 December 2021, focuses on business recovery, as well as investing in energy efficiency measures, public services and delivering house building projects.

The purpose of Homes England was outlined in the Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee session on 15 November 2021 where it uncovered important aspects of the workings of the department and actions taken to deliver UK Government policy on housing.

As life expectancy in Britain continues to rise, Propertymark highlights the need for a greater supply of affordable homes for the ageing population.