Labour forms new Government - what happens next?

By Steven Pearson, Editor and Writer at Barbour EHS

On 22 May 2024, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a general election and Parliament was subsequently dissolved. Following several weeks of political campaigning, leafleting and debating, Labour emerged as the favourites at the polls in the early hours of 5 July.

Not only was it a Labour landslide, but the election as a whole has resulted in significant results. For instance, we have a female Chancellor for the first time, and more female MPs than ever before will represent the UK in the House of Commons (264). There are also 89 ethnic minority MPs and 63 openly LGBTQ+ MPs. These are positive notes for equality at the heart of politics.

As an interesting side note, there are now more people in the cabinet who were born in Sunderland (Bridget Phillipson and Jonathon Reynolds) than went to Eton.

What happens next?

It might take a while for legislation and any real change to start coming through, especially considering Parliament traditionally takes a long summer recess at the end of July. Sir Keir Starmer made fast work of appointing a cabinet though, and those cabinet members include:

• Angela Rayner as Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities;
• Rachel Reeves - Chancellor of the Exchequer;
• Ed Miliband - Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero;
• Steve Reed - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs;
• Liz Kendall - Secretary of State for Work and Pensions;
• Louise Haigh - Secretary of State for Transport.

In his first speech as Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer emphasised that their work is urgent and "we begin it today". As regards what they're going to focus on first, it is still early days.

However, we do know what was in Labour's manifesto, and the Government now has a mandate to deliver on the policies expressed in that document. This means we can expect legislation at some point in the next five years to deliver these aims.

Labour's election promises

Here's a reminder of some of the key promises made relating to environment, safety, energy and planning:

• Britain will be a clean energy superpower and, in turn, cut bills, create jobs and deliver security with cheaper, zero-carbon electricity by 2030, accelerating to net zero. Part of this will be the creation of Great British Energy which will be a publicly-owned clean power company;
• an increase in onshore and offshore wind and solar power, as well as an investment in carbon capture and storage, hydrogen and marine energy;
• an Energy Independence Act to set the framework for Labour's energy and climate policies;
• utilisation of nuclear power to help energy security and cleaner power production;
• a ban on fracking;
• creation of high-quality jobs, including green jobs in clean energy sectors;
• ￡6.6 billion over this Parliament? towards upgrading five million homes to make them warmer and more efficient. The Warm Homes Plan also includes grants and low interest loans to support investment in insulation and the installation of solar panels, batteries and low carbon heating;
• the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) proposed by the last Government will be supported which should help move towards Net Zero and decarbonisation;
• the creation of nine new National River Walks (one in each region in England) to improve access to nature. In addition, they promise to create three new National Forests in England, plant millions of trees and create new woodlands;
• a new special measures system for water companies who are failing to clean up water. Part of this will include blocking the payment of bonuses to executives and criminal charges brought against persistent offenders as well as fines;
• support for British farmers with an aim to ensure half of all food purchased in the public sector is locally produced or certified to higher environmental standards;
• introduction of the long-awaited Martyn's Law, which did not make it through Parliament under the previous Government. This will strengthen the security and safety of public events and venues.

Reaction

Whilst the dust is still settling on the election result, some have already been urging the new Government to take action in key areas. The Institute of Environmental Management (IEMA) CEO Sarah Mukherjee MBE said, "Kick-starting economic growth is the number one mission of the incoming Labour Party, but that growth must be green." She added, "We would urge Labour to develop a specific plan to accelerate the uptake of green skills to ensure we have a diverse workforce that can deliver a green economy fit for the future."

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Chief Executive Victoria Hills has also written an open letter to Sir Keir Starmer highlighting the role of the planning profession in helping economic growth and in stimulating job growth, whilst suggesting the ideas in their 'Planifesto ' could be a way forward - noting some of their suggestions have been taken into consideration already.

Meanwhile, the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is emphasising the points in their own manifesto as a suggestion as to how the new Government can make us safer happier and healthier.

Manifesto

If you want to read the pledges made in Labour's manifesto, it can be accessed here .