The government’s legislative agenda must deliver on plans for a healthier, safer environment

The government’s legislative agenda outlined in the King’s Speech provides opportunities to drive progress on health and the environment through planning reform, improved access to public transport, green energy generation, improved water quality, mental health and children’s wellbeing.

An important challenge for the government will be ensuring cross-departmental work to deliver on policies that maximise the co-benefits for health and environment in implementing new legislation.

Key points:

• Commitment to clean energy transition and publicly owned Great British Energy is a welcome step but must be backed up by delivering on manifesto commitments for no new oil and gas licences
• No mention of a Clean Air Bill was a missed opportunity to legislate for safer air pollution limits
• A commitment to improve the national health service with a focus on prevention and better mental health provision
• Restrictions on junk food advertising to children and access to breakfast clubs provide opportunities to increase access to and promotion of healthy, nutritious plant based diets
• Planning and Infrastructure Bill and commitment to better public transport must seize opportunities to deliver healthier, fairer environments for people to live and work
• No reference to protection and restoration of nature or a commitment to address the climate and nature crisis in line with the most up to date science, which the Climate and Nature Bill would deliver

A focus on green energy generation was a key pledge of the government’s manifesto. The Great British Energy Bill announced in the King’s Speech sets the foundation for the government’s ambition for energy independence and lower bills. Delivery of this agenda must include a commitment to eliminate all forms of government subsidies, investments, new licences and consent for fossil fuel exploration, extraction, and sales, combined with a redirection of funds towards subsidies to rapidly upscale production and use of renewable energies, which would benefit health through alleviating energy poverty and reducing air pollution.

Air pollution is among the greatest environmental determinants of health, and the challenges of climate change, air pollution and the restoration of nature must be tackled simultaneously if the UK is to meet its net zero emissions targets. Currently, the UK’s targets for limiting air pollution fall short of international guidelines. The King’s Speech was a missed opportunity for the government to commit to legislating for safer targets that align with the World Health Organisation.

Building an NHS fit for the future that aims to reduce waiting times, focus on prevention, and modernise NHS infrastructure, must recognise the value and opportunity to deliver on policies to improve diet, physical activity, and mental wellbeing that will bring multiple co-benefits for health, the health service and the environment, such as access to affordable plant-based nutritious food, active travel and green spaces. Decarbonisation and energy efficiency of NHS buildings, resilience against the threat of extreme weather, and better use of green sites for social prescribing must all be considered in improving the health service.

The King’s Speech announced legislation to restrict junk food advertising to children and breakfast clubs to help children access food at the start of the school day. Delivery of this agenda must include a review of school meal advisory guidelines to ensure all children have access to healthy, plant-based nutritious food. Restrictions of junk food advertising could be counterbalanced by promotions and incentives to increase consumption of healthy and sustainable foods. The transition to healthy diets is intergenerational, and meaningful change requires the UK to deliver a new food systems framework that prioritises plant-based foods to ensure better health, environment, and economic outcomes.

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which aims to improve planning systems, accelerate house building and infrastructure, and streamline upgrades to the national grid, has potential to provide cleaner energy security for communities. In order to deliver healthy environments for people to live and work, planning regulations must deliver affordable, well insulated, energy efficient homes and ensure communities have access to high-quality green spaces and essential services within walking or cycling distance that foster an environment for active travel to thrive. Such environments prevent ill health by reducing air pollution and promoting physical activity, health and wellbeing, which in turn can improve workplace productivity and reduce the burden on the health service. Legislation to improve access to bus and rail services through the Better Buses Bill and Rail Reform Bill are aimed at improving access to services, improving air quality and greenhouse gas emissions.

The Labour Party manifesto highlighted the fact that the UK is one of the nature-depleted countries in the world, and committed to act for nature to restore and protect the natural world. Climate change and nature loss are intractably linked and it is important that the combined threat is tackled with a joined up approach that delivers actions in line with the latest science. Prior to the election, tens of thousands of people marched in London to call for action on the restoration, demonstrating a clear mandate for action. The Climate and Nature Bill was an opportunity for the new government to cement action on climate and nature into law, but was not included in the King’s speech.

The government has laid the foundations for its programme of work. The focus now is on delivery and ensuring fairness, health, and protection of the natural environment are integral across implementation of the legislative agenda. A commitment to no new licences for oil and gas, better air quality standards, the protection and restoration of nature, and access to healthier diets, must also be delivered.