Brexit dominates Queen’s Speech

News

21 June 2017

Brexit bills dominated the Queen’s Speech today, with infrastructure provision and the property sector playing a second fiddle to EU talks.

The speech did confirm that plans to ban letting agency fees will be upheld in the Tenant’s Fee’s Bill, while the next phase of HS2 from the West Midlands to Crewe will also be brought forward.

The Queen’s Speech sets out the government’s agenda for the next two years. After the election result, in which the Conservatives lost their majority, many Conservative manifesto commitments were watered down.

“My government will work to attract investment in infrastructure to support economic growth. Legislation will be introduced to ensure the United Kingdom remains a world leader in new industries, including electric cars and commercial satellites,” said the Queen.

“Proposals will be brought forward to ban unfair tenant fees, promote fairness and transparency in the housing market, and help ensure more homes are built.”

Responding to the lettings fee ban, Lewis Johnston, RICS parliamentary affairs manager, said: “We have made it clear that this policy could have unintended consequences in terms of restricting supply, and the government must ensure any reform is part of a comprehensive package that helps boost the private rented sector market.”

Changes to social care were also downgraded to a consultation, following the uproar after the release of the Conservative manifesto that branded it a “dementia tax”.

“The diluting of the controversial manifesto pledges on social care to a consultation may come as little surprise given the damage they are perceived to have done to the Conservatives during the election,” said Eamonn Meadows, associate director in JLL’s Healthcare team.

While there was some relief the speech implied a much softer Brexit, there was also concern at the prospect of a further two years of inactivity.

Richard Garner, head of the commercial agency at Daniel Watney, said: “With the government’s gridlock forcing it to commit to the slimmest Queen’s Speech seen in years, I sense we are well and truly entrenched in government inaction and uncertainty for the next few years.

“The lack of commitment to major transport infrastructure beyond delivering later stages of HS2 is deeply disappointing. Many suspected Crossrail 2 had been unnecessarily dropped in lieu of a high-speed rail connection for the North. Now we face the prospect of action on neither for the next two years.”

infras, Infrastructure

Brexit bills dominated the Queen’s Speech today, with infrastructure provision and the property sector playing a second fiddle to EU talks. The speech did confirm that plans to ban letting agency fees will be upheld in the Tenant’s Fee’s Bill, while the next phase of HS2 from the West Midlands to Crewe will also be brought forward. The Queen’s Speech sets out the government’s agenda for the next two years. After the election result, in which the Conservatives lost their majority, many Conservative manifesto commitments were watered down. “My government will work to attract investment in infrastructure to support economic growth. Legislation will be introduced to ensure the United Kingdom remains a world leader in new industries, including electric cars and commercial satellites,” said the Queen. “Proposals will be brought forward to ban unfair tenant fees, promote fairness and transparency in the housing market, and help ensure more homes are built.” Responding to the lettings fee ban, Lewis Johnston, RICS parliamentary affairs manager, said: “We have made it clear that this policy could have unintended consequences in terms of restricting supply, and the government must ensure any reform is part of a comprehensive package that helps boost the private rented sector market.” Changes to social care were also downgraded to a consultation, following the uproar after the release of the Conservative manifesto that branded it a “dementia tax”. “The diluting of the controversial manifesto pledges on social care to a consultation may come as little surprise given the damage they are perceived to have done to the Conservatives during the election,” said Eamonn Meadows, associate director in JLL’s Healthcare team. While there was some relief the speech implied a much softer Brexit, there was also concern at the prospect of a further two years of inactivity. Richard Garner, head of the commercial agency at Daniel Watney, said: “With the government’s gridlock forcing it to commit to the slimmest Queen’s Speech seen in years, I sense we are well and truly entrenched in government inaction and uncertainty for the next few years. “The lack of commitment to major transport infrastructure beyond delivering later stages of HS2 is deeply disappointing. Many suspected Crossrail 2 had been unnecessarily dropped in lieu of a high-speed rail connection for the North. Now we face the prospect of action on neither for the next two years.”