The government’s response to the Phase 2 and final report into the Grenfell Tower tragedy has been published, accepting the findings of the report and 49 of the recommendations made by the enquiry. The government says is accepts in principle a further nine but says committing to action on them might involved further consideration, including public consultation(s).
The government’s response has been split into two phases; phase one will take place over the course of 2025/26 and will include continuing to work with the Building Safety Act to enact reform and putting into action the Remediation Acceleration Plan launched in December. The Remediation Acceleration Plan aims to remediate all 18m+ buildings with unsafe cladding under a government funded scheme by 2029; and have remediated or have a date for completion of, 11m+ buildings.
It will place greater obligations and penalties on landlords who fail to remediate unsafe building, and give regulators greater powers of enforcement. One such regulator is a proposed Building Safety Regulator whose responsibility will be to see through the work.
Other phase one initiatives include a construction products green paper consultation addressing what are described as ‘key failures’ conformity of products, bad testing practices and competence of the sector; and the introduction of the regulatory framework to enact The Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, otherwise known as Awaab’s Law to legislate for more stringent standards in socials housing, and the extension of the legislation to the private rented sector under the Renters’ Rights Bill.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said:
“The Grenfell Tower tragedy claimed 72 innocent lives in a disaster that should never have happened. The final report exposed in stark and devastating detail the shocking industry behaviour and wider failures that led to the fire, and the deep injustices endured by the bereaved, survivors, and residents.”
“We are acting on all of the Inquiry’s findings, and today set out our full response, detailing the tough action we are taking to drive change and reform the system to ensure no community will ever have to face a tragedy like Grenfell ever again. That means greater accountability, stronger regulation, and putting residents at the heart of decision-making. We must deliver the fundamental change required. We owe that to the Grenfell community, to the country, and to the memory of those who lost their lives.”
The government add the final report delivered a damning verdict of a system that ignored safety and failed to listen to the concerns of residents. Systemic dishonesty in the construction industry and failures by successive governments to properly regulate led to the Grenfell disaster. These new proposals will hold the industry to account for any future failure.
Building Safety Minister Alex Norris added:
“The Grenfell Tower fire was a preventable tragedy, and the failings it exposed demanded fundamental change. Our response today to the Inquiry’s findings sets out a comprehensive plan to reform the construction sector, strengthen oversight and make sure that residents are the priority when deciding on building safety issues. We will continue working closely with industry, local authorities and the Grenfell community to make sure these reforms deliver real, lasting change and rebuild trust.”
Responding on behalf of the surveying community, RICS Head of Professional Practice – Building, Gary Strong said
“RICS welcomes the UK Government’s statement on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report, and we look forward to continuing to support these crucial reforms going forward. A new, dedicated construction sector regulator and Chief Construction Adviser is welcome, and RICS will continue to offer its expertise to the government to support plans for the new regulator as it takes shape.”
“New rules on product safety should further raise manufacturing standards, whilst new laws empowering tenants in the social housing sector will help protect some of the most vulnerable. It is reassuring that the government plans to provide updates every quarter and RICS will support the implementation of these reforms every step of the way.”
