The Government has today, 26th February, published its full response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s final report, accepting 49 of the 58 recommendations in full.
The remaining nine are accepted “in principle,” with some requiring “further consideration” through consultations. The response details significant reforms designed to enhance building safety, strengthening accountability, and protecting residents.
Key measures outlined:
- New single Construction Regulator: Will oversee compliance and hold those responsible for building safety to account.
- Tighter oversight of construction products: Stronger regulation and enforcement to prevent the use of unsafe materials.
- Mandatory competence certification for fire risk assessors: Ensuring only qualified professionals can make critical fire safety decisions.
- Stronger rights for residents: Landlords will be legally required to act on safety concerns, with new mechanisms empowering social housing tenants.
- Debarment investigations: Seven organisations named in the report face potential exclusion from government contracts under new procurement laws.
The timeline for broader reforms is outlined in phases, with some measures expected to be implemented no earlier than 2028.
The Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said:
“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.”
In addition to the outlined action plan, the Government has issued an apology on behalf of the British state for its role in these failings.
The Property Institute will continue to monitor developments, ensuring members are fully informed and prepared for the evolving regulatory environment.
Read the Government’s full response HERE
TPI responds:
Andrew Bulmer, CEO of The Property Institute (TPI), commenting on Angela Rayner’s response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report recommendations, said:
“The Grenfell Tower fire was a preventable tragedy – one that exposed systemic failures and regulatory loopholes with devastating consequences.
We fully support the government’s decision to take forward all the recommendations made by the Phase 2 report and welcome its commitment to publish quarterly progress reports as it implements those recommendations.
Today’s response makes it clear that building safety reforms must go further and faster. While the introduction of one single Construction Regulator is a step in the right direction, the slow pace of remediation and the narrow focus on cladding have left many buildings only partially fixed. Thousands still live in unsafe buildings, burdened by unaffordable insurance premiums, the costs of other safety issues, and uncertainty about their futures.
We urge the government to implement actions swiftly – accelerating and widening the scope of remediation efforts and putting resident safety ahead of bureaucratic and financial disputes.”
