IOSH statement on King's Speech

In response to the King’s Speech, IOSH is urging the UK Government to put worker health and safety at the centre of its plans for economic growth and reform. While the Speech sets out an ambitious vision for the future, it does not clearly demonstrate how workers will be protected, supported or involved as these changes are taken forward.

Worker health and safety must be the starting point – not an afterthought – in any plan for economic growth, 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 will be protected and involved. It is unacceptable for employees to be exposed to experimental technologies via sandbox papers without 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.

Equally concerning is the lack of clear focus on tackling modern slavery and labour exploitation. Strengthening protections in supply chains and ensuring 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 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.