The government has published updates for a more consistent and
accountable building safety system, acting on the recommendations
in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
This follows on from the Grenfell Tower fire, a national tragedy
that took the lives of 72 people and could have been prevented.
The government is focused on taking robust action to address the
problems identified by the Inquiry and to build a regulatory
system that people trust to ensure homes are safe.
A Call for Evidence has
been launched to drive a new Building Professions Strategy,
exploring how people work during all stages of the building
process, from designers to contractors.
The strategy, based on evidence of what works, is set to be
published in 2027. It will provide a clear view on
the skills, experience and accountabilities required of those
across the building process – ensuring a
skilled workforce equipped to deliver
safe and sustainable buildings.
Today (Wednesday 20 May) also marks the first step in delivering
a new college of fire and
rescue.
The college will help strengthen the professionalism
and skills of leaders and firefighters across the fire and
rescue sector, improve consistency of standards across services,
and widen access to best practice – resulting in a better, more
efficient service for the public. The consultation
that has launched today seeks views from the sector and the
public to help shape the college's design.
Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Democracy, said:
The Grenfell tragedy should never have happened, and
we remain committed to learning and acting
on its failings.
High standards, responsibility and safety must underpin the whole
building process, upheld by everyone across the profession.
The measures announced today are an important step to cementing
these standards and delivering on our commitment of safe
homes fit for the future.
Earlier this month, the King's Speech confirmed plans to
introduce a Remediation Bill, which will drive forward the
remediation of historic unsafe cladding even faster – removing
barriers, getting buildings fixed faster and allowing residents
to feel safer in their homes.
Other measures announced today include:
- Plans to work in partnership with the building control
sector to reform the system to protect future
growth and maintain standards, accepting recommendations
made by the Building Control Independent Panel.
- A Public Engagement
Policy which advises ministers and senior civil
servants not to attend certain public
events with the seven most highly criticised
companies in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report, unless
for very specific reasons.
The updates come as the government publishes the next quarterly progress
report on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
As well as the measures set out above, the government has acted
on and confirmed the closure of nine further
recommendations relating to the construction industry, and
response and recovery, bringing the total number of completed
recommendations to 21.
The government is working closely with the local
community, industry and local authorities across all
recommendations to deliver safer homes and lasting change.
