The following article outlines industry reactions to Wednesday’s King’s Speech…
Remediation Bill – response to tougher enforcement on cladding
The Government’s Remediation Bill in the King’s Speech marks a shift towards tougher enforcement on cladding — and is likely to reshape how liability and disputes play out across the sector, according to Sarah Maylor, Partner at Eversheds Sutherland:
“This Bill signals a shift from policy to enforcement. The Government is no longer relying on voluntary compliance, but is creating a regime where those responsible will be compelled to act or face serious consequences. The ability to pursue manufacturers is potentially transformative, but the reality is these claims will be hard fought, and in the short term at least, the industry should expect an increase in disputes.
“The real test will be whether these measures accelerate remediation in practice. Without sufficient capacity, clarity on scope, and alignment between legal processes and delivery on the ground, there is a risk that increased regulation simply adds another layer of complexity to an already slow system.”
Highways Financing Bill – response
Ben Peecock – Partner at Eversheds Sutherland:
“The Highways Financing Bill points to a more pragmatic approach to funding large-scale road infrastructure. A Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model offers a credible path forward and provides the long-term certainty projects of this scale need, giving government a structured way to share risk with the private sector.
“The King’s Speech shows a willingness to confront the funding gap in roads, and RAB could be the mechanism that finally unlocks progress.”
