AI laws. Digital IDs. Employment shake-ups. What does the King's Speech actually change for you?
- Austin and Carnley Solicitors
- May 13
- 4 min read
Today the King delivered his Speech to Parliament, the moment each year when the government sets out its legislative agenda for the coming session. It is, in effect, a preview of the laws that will shape daily life in the UK over the next 12 to 18 months. This year's speech was one of the most wide-ranging in recent memory, touching on everything from artificial intelligence to leasehold reform, late payments to steel nationalisation. We've read it so you don't have to, here's what actually matters.
1. Your home: leasehold reform is finally happening
If you own a leasehold property, and millions of people in England do, this is the headline you've been waiting for. The government has announced the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, which includes plans to cap ground rents. For years, leaseholders have faced escalating ground rent clauses that make properties difficult to sell and mortgage. This Bill signals the government intends to act.
A Social Housing Renewal Bill was also announced, aimed at increasing long-term investment in affordable housing stock.
And if you are stuck in a building with unsafe cladding, the Remediation Bill promises to speed up the process of getting your home made safe, something that has been agonisingly slow for many residents since Grenfell.
2. Running a small business: late payments and red tape
Two Bills will matter directly to business owners. The Small Business Protections (Late Payments) Bill takes direct aim at the chronic problem of large companies sitting on invoices while small suppliers struggle with cash flow. It is one of the most practically useful things the government could do for small businesses, and it has been a long time coming.
Alongside this, the Regulating for Growth Bill promises to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens through innovation. The detail will matter enormously here, 'cutting red tape' can mean different things depending on which tape is being cut, but the direction of travel towards a lighter-touch regulatory environment for business is clear.
3. Employment: the gig economy and workers' rights
The Speech did not specifically address gig economy employment status, but it doesn't exist in a vacuum. This week, over 7,000 Just Eat couriers began an employment tribunal challenge over whether they should be classified as workers rather than self-employed contractors. A judgment is expected later this year.
The Regulating for Growth Bill and the broader thrust of this government's employment agenda will set the backdrop for cases like this. If you use contractors, freelancers, or rely on a self-employed workforce, now is a good time to review whether your arrangements would withstand tribunal scrutiny.
4. Technology and AI: new rules are coming
The government has signalled legislation for an AI Growth Lab, a sandbox environment where AI products and regulatory reforms can be tested under real-world conditions. It has also been consulting on copyright law changes to protect creators while enabling AI development.
The Digital Access to Services Bill will introduce a formal Digital ID system, allowing citizens to interact with public services digitally. This has significant implications for conveyancing, identity verification in legal transactions, and how documents are signed and witnessed.
The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, carried over from the last session, will impose new duties on key service providers to protect against cyber-attacks. If your business handles sensitive client data, this will create new compliance obligations.
5. Justice and accountability: the courts are changing
The Courts Modernisation Bill proposes judge-only trials for certain offences, alongside wider reforms to reduce the courts backlog. This is significant for anyone involved in litigation, civil or criminal, as delays in the court system have reached crisis levels in recent years.
The Hillsborough Law (Public Office (Accountability) Bill) will introduce a legal duty of candour for public servants at inquiries and investigations. Long campaigned for by the Hillsborough families, it is a landmark moment for public accountability in this country.
6. Immigration: a new framework
The Immigration and Asylum Bill was announced to 'increase confidence in the security of the immigration and asylum systems.' The detail remains to be seen, but businesses that employ overseas workers and individuals with immigration matters ongoing should watch this Bill carefully as it progresses.
7. The bigger picture
Beyond the individual Bills, the speech painted a picture of a government trying to do a lot at once, while facing serious political turbulence. The Prime Minister faces calls to resign following last week's election losses, and a packed legislative agenda does not guarantee smooth passage through Parliament.
That said, the laws that are passed will be real, and the deadlines they create will matter. Several of the Bills announced today have direct implications for property owners, business owners, employers, and anyone navigating the legal system.
What should you do now?
Most of these Bills will take months to become law, and the detail will emerge through parliamentary scrutiny. But preparation is everything. Here is our practical take:
• Leaseholders: Get advice now on your options under existing law — don't wait for the new Bill to pass.
• Small business owners: Review your payment terms and contracts now. The Late Payments Bill will strengthen your hand when it passes.
• Employers using contractors: Review employment status arrangements in light of the Just Eat tribunal and the Employment Rights Bill.
• Property owners: The cladding remediation and social housing Bills may affect valuations, sale timelines, and responsibilities.
• Anyone handling data or running tech: Begin mapping your exposure to the new Cyber Security and Resilience obligations.
Our team at Austin & Carnley Solicitors is here to help you navigate what these changes mean for you. Get in touch for a no-obligation conversation.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. It reflects the government's stated intentions as announced in the King's Speech on 13 May 2026; Bills must pass through Parliament before becoming law. Please seek specific legal advice for your circumstances.
