- 13 May 2026
Today’s King’s Speech sets out a legislative programme shaped by a more volatile and uncertain operating environment, with a focus on economic performance, institutional effectiveness and national resilience.
Much of the content reflects proposals already signaled, with the emphasis on delivery, system reform and strengthening the UK’s long-term capability across the economy, public services and national infrastructure.
There is, however, a discernible shift in emphasis.
The programme places greater emphasis on resilience across energy, economic security, public services and institutional capacity, reflecting the Government’s assessment of increasing global instability and its domestic implications.
This represents an evolution from the 2024 King’s Speech, which was organised around defined missions, with economic growth positioned as the central priority alongside the NHS, clean energy, safer streets and opportunity.
The direction of travel remains consistent, but resilience, security and long-term capability now sit more centrally alongside growth as organising themes.
For governance professionals, that shift is material.
For those working in corporates
Measures including the Small Business Protections (Late Payments) Bill and the Regulating for Growth Bill signal an intent to improve operating conditions and support growth. Alongside this, legislation affecting infrastructure, energy and industrial strategy points to a more active role for the state in shaping markets.
As part of this direction, we are working closely with the Department for Business and Trade ahead of its forthcoming consultation on non-financial corporate reporting, which sits within this wider regulatory reform agenda.
The Regulating for Growth Bill is both ambitious and complex. Its cross-cutting nature, requiring alignment across departments, underlines the extent to which regulatory reform is being approached as a whole of government exercise.
The proposed European Partnership Bill is particularly significant. By providing a framework to implement agreements with the European Union and, where appropriate, to align with evolving EU rules, it has implications not only for trade, but for the development, scrutiny and long-term stability of the UK’s regulatory environment.
Boards will therefore need to navigate a landscape in which regulatory expectations evolve alongside efforts to reduce unnecessary burden, and where coordination across government shapes how reform is delivered in practice.
Governance professionals will, as ever, be central to supporting board judgement in this environment.
Security, resilience and risk
The Speech reinforces a broad conception of security, spanning cyber, infrastructure, energy and borders.
The programme includes continued progression of legislation such as the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, alongside wider measures on policing, counter-terrorism and national capability.
For organisations across sectors, this elevates enterprise risk management, cyber resilience, and supply chain and infrastructure dependencies.
These are governance questions as much as operational ones.
Public services and regulated sectors
The programme includes substantial reform across health, policing and the justice system, alongside a wider focus on the effectiveness of the state.
A notable proposal is the introduction of a duty of candour for public officials, often referred to as the Hillsborough Law, which would place a legal obligation on public authorities to be transparent and truthful in the exercise of their functions.
In parallel, proposals on digital access to services point to further integration of technology into public service delivery, with associated implications for data governance and assurance.
More targeted reforms to regulatory frameworks, including in areas such as water and energy, indicate a willingness to reshape oversight in specific essential services.
For governance professionals operating in those sectors, this places renewed emphasis on institutional capability, accountability and effective oversight of delivery.
Housing
Further leasehold and commonhold reform, alongside measures such as the Social Housing Renewal Bill, continue a direction of travel towards stronger accountability to residents and improved stewardship of housing assets.
Boards in the housing sector will need to sustain focus on governance structures, resident engagement and long-term risk management.
Education, skills and participation
The Speech reinforced the importance of apprenticeships, vocational education and pathways into work, alongside wider efforts to support young people and those with disabilities into employment.
For governance professionals in education, charities and employer organisations, this points to a continued policy focus on participation, outcomes and alignment between purpose and delivery.
Wider social outcomes
A consistent theme is the focus on reducing child poverty and improving life chances.
For mission-led organisations, this reinforces the importance of demonstrable impact and strong governance of programmes and outcomes, alongside maintaining public trust.
What to watch for next
The Government has set out its agenda today with greater emphasis on resilience, and sustained expectations of institutional effectiveness in a more complex operating environment, not least given the current uncertainty around political leadership and delivery.
Governance is integral to these ambitions, supporting decision-making, managing risk and compliance and sustaining trust across corporate, public and social sectors.
We will continue to work closely with government and regulators to ensure that this agenda reflects and benefits from the experience and expertise of governance professionals across the economy.
David Mortimer, Head of External Affairs, CGIUKI