Worker health and safety missing from King’s Speech

Ruth Wilkinson, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), said: “Worker health and safety must be designed into the core of decision-making and planning for economic growth – not treated as an afterthought. Yet this is not clearly reflected in the King’s Speech.

“The Speech talks about building the future – but some vital foundations are missing. As the Government pushes forward with AI and regulatory reform, it must set out explicitly how workers’ health, safety and wellbeing will be protected and how they will be involved. Where new and innovative approaches are being used, this must be underpinned by full transparency, meaningful consultation and robust safeguards. Worker voice must be embedded from the outset, particularly where new systems could directly affect health, safety and wellbeing.

“There is also a clear gap in how the Government intends to address the estimated £51 billion economic loss linked to poor workforce health, inactivity and skills pressures. This cannot be solved without prioritising good, healthy, safe work – where jobs are designed to protect both physical and mental health as well as safety.

“Another key opportunity missed was the chance to introduce legislation for a Single Construction Regulator that could have driven consistency, accountability, and a much-needed shift in the industry’s safety culture.

“Equally concerning is the lack of clear focus on tackling modern slavery and labour exploitation. Strengthening protections in supply chains and ensuring worker rights, decent, safe working conditions for all workers must be central to any credible growth strategy.

“Let’s be clear: strong health and safety is not a constraint on innovation or growth – it is what makes both possible. Any reforms to regulation or the economy must strengthen protections and rights for workers, not dilute them.

“IOSH stands ready to work with Government, employers and workers to ensure that innovation, growth and worker protection go hand in hand.”