There were two main items of interest for the housing sector in today’s Queen’s Speech:

1. It was confirmed that the Government will establish the Building Safety Regulator through enactment of the Building Safety Bill and
2. With a view to help more people to own their own homes, the Government will bring forward legislation to modernise the planning system, so that more homes can be built, and also will introduce measures to end the practice of ground rents for new leasehold properties.

Notable by its absence was any reference to the legislation which would be required to beef up the RSH’s consumer regulation role and to require social landlords to identify a nominated person responsible for complying with their health and safety requirements.  However the Background Briefing Notes on the announcements in the Queen’s Speach read “We will continue to deliver on the Social Housing White Paper proposals, including implementing the Charter for Social Housing Residents, delivering transformational change for social renters. We will also continue to develop reform of social housing regulations and look to legislate as soon as practicable”.