Informed leaks from unnamed government sources, and rolled out in the mainstream media, confirm that a version of the Renters Reform Bill will return in this Parliamentary session.

Numerous publications say that a Bill will be listed tomorrow with two primary aims – to abolish Section 21 eviction powers for landlords and to give tenants the right to challenge “unreasonable” rent increases. No further details about this particular Bill have yet been leaked.

There will be some 35 new Bills in the first legislative programme of the Starmer government – more than in the Thatcher, Blair or Johnson governments – and other media leaks suggest there will be an effort to generate more solar panel usage. 

The goal is to solar-standards for new-build properties starting next year, with this so-called “rooftop revolution” initiative just one part of a wider review of energy supply and the creation of GB Energy, a new publicly-owned company. 

Currently, while installing solar panels does not require formal planning permission, there are restrictions on their placement on buildings, particularly in conservation areas and on listed properties. The government is considering revising regulations to facilitate broader adoption of panels.

The leaks about the King’s Speech suggest that there will be legislation empowering the Office for Budget Responsibility to publish independent forecasts of major fiscal events, to avoid a repeat of Liz Truss’s disastrous mini-budget in 2022; and two Home Office Bills are expected, concerning anti-social behaviour and border security.

The speech is given at around 11.30am tomorrow by the King, and is then debated in the House of Commons for several days before being voted on by MPs.

The Commons is to have a shorter recess than usual this summer, rising on July 31 and returning on September 1.