Cladding, social housing and leasehold were all mentioned as focuses for the government by King Charles III in today’s King’s Speech.

The annual speech sets out rough parameters for where a government’s priorities lie, but no hard policies.

Speaking at the state opening of parliament, the King said: “My government will bring forward a bill to speed up remediation for people living in homes with unsafe cladding and a draft bill to ban abusive conversion practices.

“My government will seek to reinforce the long term energy, defence and economic security of the United Kingdom as an essential component of strength on the world stage. This will include housing, which can be a source of insecurity for many people.

“My ministers will bring forward legislation to increase long term investment in social housing and reform the leasehold system, including the capping of ground rents.”

The Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill aims to cap ground rents and replace leasehold with commonhold by default for new properties.

The Remediation Bill requires owners of blocks of flats more than 18 metres high to fix unsafe and flammable cladding by the end of 2029, or 2031 for buildings of 11 to 18 metres in height.

Rathbones chartered financial planner Charlotte Kennedy said: “The King’s Speech signalled plans to reform leaseholds and cap ground rents, speed up remediation for people living in homes with unsafe cladding, and pursue greater energy independence through renewables and nuclear power in an attempt to protect long-term living standards.

“There was also a strong emphasis on infrastructure investment, employment support and economic stability, all of which are intended to support growth and ease pressure on household finances over time.”