Consumers Must Remain at the Heart of Reform
London, 13 May 2026 – The Consumer Choice Center (CCC) has responded to today’s King’s Speech, which outlined the Government’s legislative agenda for the new parliamentary session, including proposals to strengthen ties with the European Union, expand infrastructure development, regulate late payments, support domestic steel production, introduce digital identity systems, and pursue a more defined path toward energy independence.
While welcoming elements aimed at economic growth and infrastructure expansion, the CCC warned that several proposals risk adding new regulatory burdens and limiting consumer choice if not carefully designed.
Mike Salem, UK Country Associate for the Consumer Choice Center, commented:
“Today’s King’s Speech sets out a broad and ambitious agenda, particularly around infrastructure investment, energy policy, and digital transformation. These are areas that can significantly benefit consumers if implemented with competition and choice in mind.
“However, not all proposals move in the right direction. A renewed focus on regulatory expansion, whether through new compliance frameworks on payments, digital identity systems, or closer alignment with EU regulatory structures, must be carefully scrutinised to ensure it does not increase costs or reduce innovation.
“On energy, we welcome the recognition that the UK must strengthen its energy independence. But that goal will only be achieved through a realistic, diversified strategy that includes nuclear power, domestic oil and gas production in the North Sea, and investment in new technologies that enhance affordability and reliability.
“Likewise, efforts to support domestic steel production and expand airport and road infrastructure can be positive for consumers and economic growth, provided they are delivered in a way that promotes competition, efficiency, and long-term sustainability rather than protectionism or overregulation.
“Finally, any expansion of digital identity systems must be implemented with strong safeguards, ensuring privacy, voluntary access where possible, and clear consumer benefits. Technology should empower individuals, not create new barriers.”
The Consumer Choice Center noted that while closer cooperation with the European Union may streamline certain regulatory and trade processes, policymakers must ensure that such alignment does not reduce the UK’s flexibility to pursue pro-innovation and pro-consumer policies.
Key Policy Areas Highlighted in the King’s Speech
The CCC will be monitoring several announced priorities, including:
- EU relations: Potential regulatory alignment and its impact on UK competitiveness and consumer choice;
- Late payment legislation: Ensuring compliance burdens do not disproportionately affect SMEs and innovation;
- Infrastructure expansion: Including airports and road networks, with an emphasis on efficiency and competition;
- Steel production support: Balancing industrial strategy with open markets and consumer costs;
- Energy strategy: Prioritising nuclear expansion and domestic North Sea oil and gas alongside renewable investment to ensure affordability and reliability.
- Digital ID rollout: Safeguarding privacy, security, and voluntary participation.
The Consumer Choice Center will continue to engage constructively with policymakers as these proposals develop, ensuring that the interests of consumers remain central to every stage of the legislative process. As the Government moves from announcement to implementation, CCC will be closely scrutinising the impact of each measure on affordability, innovation, and real consumer choice across the UK.