followed a report by the independent Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce chaired by economist John Fingleton in November last year which concluded the current regulatory architecture was \u201coverly complex\u201d.<\/a><\/p>\nIndustry reaction<\/p>\n
A number of key stakeholders have come out in support of King Charles\u2019 speech and the many bills he has put forward that will aim to benefit the construction of infrastructure.<\/p>\n
ACE<\/p>\n
Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) chief executive Milda Manomaityte said: \u201cThis year\u2019s King\u2019s Speech has been delivered against a politically difficult backdrop for the Labour Government: tight fiscal headroom, weak growth and rising expectations for visible delivery before the next general election, and a difficult set of local elections for the government.<\/p>\n
Against that context, it is welcome that the legislative programme tightly focuses on accelerating infrastructure and housing delivery, unlocking private investment, and streamlining regulation and planning to prioritise delivery.<\/p>\n
The Energy Independence Bill in particular sends a strong signal of long-term commitment to building a secure, homegrown energy supply, unlocking a significant pipeline of projects across renewables, grid infrastructure, storage and low-carbon technologies for ACE members. A resilient domestic energy supply cannot rest on renewables alone though. It requires a clean, mixed energy portfolio built for long-term security.<\/p>\n
We also welcome plans to overhaul the water sector. The Clean Water Bill should drive demand for specialist expertise in areas such as wastewater treatment, nature-based solutions, flood resilience and catchment management, areas where UK consultancies are globally recognised leaders.<\/p>\n
Finally, the absence of new transport announcements should not overshadow the sustained commitment to Northern Powerhouse Rail, the Lower Thames Crossing, and airport expansion. For industry, continuity is confidence, and confidence drives delivery. The task now is to translate that backing into action, breaking the cycle of delay that has hindered major infrastructure in Britain.\u201d<\/p>\n
NIA<\/p>\n
Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) chief executive Tom Greatrex said: \u201cThe government is right to push ahead with a more proportionate regulatory framework to make nuclear projects faster and less expensive to build.<\/p>\n
\u201cRecent global events are a reminder that long-term investment in domestic clean power is a national priority.<\/p>\n
\u201cCountries around the world are moving quickly to strengthen their energy independence through new nuclear, and the UK must do the same if it wants secure, reliable electricity, lower exposure to volatile gas markets and thousands of high-skilled industrial jobs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mott MacDonald<\/p>\n
Mott MacDonald transport manager director for UK and Europe Tony O\u2019Toole said: \u201cThe direction set out today signals a clear intent to keep the UK building and modernising its transport networks.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnlocking airport expansion, progressing key road schemes like Lower Thames Crossing and delivering Northern Powerhouse Rail will be vital to improving connectivity and driving growth across regions. Alongside this, rail reform through Great British Railways provides the foundation for a more integrated and customer-focused rail network.<\/p>\n
\u201cUltimately, the test will be in how quickly this translates into delivery on the ground and we look forward to playing our part in turning ambition into reality.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Mott MacDonald water consultancy development manager Keith Macpherson said: \u201cThe plans for the Clean Water Bill mark a significant step towards stronger environmental performance and long-term resilience across the water sector. The Bill presents an opportunity to scale up nature-based solutions and embed whole-life outcomes alongside traditional infrastructure investment to deliver transformational change.<\/p>\n
\u201cRealising this potential will call for earlier engagement with multidisciplinary design teams, ensuring that engineering, environmental, digital and operational expertise are brought together from the outset.<\/p>\n
\u201cCareful transition planning will be essential to maintain momentum during the current investment cycle while continuing to deliver the commitments to improved outcomes for communities and ecosystems.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mott MacDonald managing director of energy for UK and Europe Claudio Tassistro said: \u201cIt\u2019s encouraging to see the UK government\u2019s commitment to long-term energy independence and clean power reinforced. The intention to act on the Fingleton recommendations to streamline the construction of nuclear power plants is the most significant reset of the UK\u2019s nuclear regulatory system in more than 20 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese reforms have the potential to materially reduce both the cost and delivery timeline of new nuclear, which is critical to achieving net zero and energy security. We are already working closely with our clients, regulators and key stakeholders to implement these recommendations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Energy Independence Bill will strengthen the country\u2019s energy mix by balancing reliability, affordability and sustainability.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stantec<\/p>\n
Stantec UK&I regional business lead for energy John Ord said: \u201cIt was important the industry heard an emphasis on energy security in the King\u2019s Speech today.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur energy sector acts as the UK\u2019s beating heart and its ability to evolve is integral to economic growth and resilience.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government\u2019s commitment to scale up domestic low carbon energy generation in the long-term is of course welcome, and pushing forward with nuclear power is such an important piece of this puzzle, whether it\u2019s from SMRs or large-scale plants.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut so too is driving our energy storage capabilities and upgrading the grid at pace to meet rising power demands from data centres and the integration of renewables.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are immediate, monumental challenges we need to address. The industry needs delivery to rapidly accelerate and build capacity if it is to meet the Government\u2019s level of ambition.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe adoption of the recommendations of the Nuclear Regulatory Review, and the progress of the Energy Independence Bill, will be crucial enablers of this, and we look forward to seeing these develop quickly so we can further strengthen our energy security and support the country\u2019s transition to net zero.\u201d<\/p>\n
ECIU<\/p>\n
Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) head of energy Jess Ralston said: \u201cThe government is sticking with clean power as its solution to two energy crises in a matter of years, in line with the International Energy Agency\u2019s recommendations and the British public who see investing in renewables as the solution to less dependence on Trump and the Middle East as North Sea oil and gas output continues its inevitable decline.<\/p>\n
\u201cHouseholds are increasingly voting with their feet as installations of net zero technologies like solar, EVs and heat pumps have taken off in response to higher prices. Increasingly this surge towards electrifying homes will be powered by clean British renewables.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are now even clearer divides between political parties on the UK\u2019s energy future, with the Government bringing in a ban on fracking compared to Reform which aligns more with Trump on wanting to frack across Lancashire and Lincolnshire.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis puts them at odds with the British public for whom fracking is one of the most unpopular energy sources and even Reform-led local councils that are less than keen given voter opposition.\u201d<\/p>\n
Urban Transport Group<\/p>\n
Urban Transport Group director Jason Prince\u00a0said: \u201cThe King\u2019s Speech demonstrates the government\u2019s continued commitment to transforming transport over the course of the next Parliament.<\/p>\n
\u201cGovernment has already made great strides on improving connectivity through new legislation, such as on buses and devolution, but there is more to be done to unlock the true potential that transport offers to both our local and national ambitions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe legislative programme outlined today is the next step towards achieving this, especially legislation to reform the taxi and private hire vehicle sector, and to continue rail reform through the Railways and Passenger Benefits Bill.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur member transport authorities look forward to continuing to work hand in hand with government to deliver improved transport services for our local communities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rics<\/p>\n
A Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) spokesperson said: \u201cIt was great to see the built and natural environment feature prominently in the King\u2019s Speech, with a number of important measures that have the potential to support economic growth and improve outcomes for communities across the UK.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was also encouraging to see commitments on major infrastructure projects through the Civil Aviation Bill, Highways (Financing) Bill and Northern Powerhouse Rail Bill, recognising the vital role infrastructure plays in supporting the wider economy.<\/p>\n
\u201cRics also welcomes further action to support residents living in buildings with unsafe cladding, and delivering meaningful reforms for leaseholders.<\/p>\n
\u201cDelivering on these ambitions will require close collaboration between government and industry, as well as the professional expertise needed to turn policy into practical outcomes. Rics continues to work with the UK Government to drive forward crucial measures that will improve the built and natural environment and outcomes for professionals and consumers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Like what you’ve read?\u00a0To receive New Civil Engineer’s daily and weekly newsletters click here.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"King Charles has given his annual speech for 2026 in which several bills have been put forward to…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":35787,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[4571,16567,1185,16568,16569,16570,16571,16572,708,5,6,16573],"class_list":{"0":"post-35786","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-uk","8":"tag-british-steel","9":"tag-eciu","10":"tag-hs2","11":"tag-lower-thames-crossing","12":"tag-mott-macdonald","13":"tag-nia","14":"tag-northern-powerhouse-rail","15":"tag-nuclear-industry-association","16":"tag-stantec","17":"tag-uk","18":"tag-united-kingdom","19":"tag-urban-transport-group"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@UnitedKingdom\/116569465400651639","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35786","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35786"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35786\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35787"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35786"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35786"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35786"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}