by Clair Mooney | 2 Apr, 2025 | Building Safety Act, Contractual and Legal, Technical
As of 1 April 2025 Ministerial responsibility for all fire functions for construction will move from the Home Office to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). The aim of this move is to bring greater clarity and accountability to fire and building safety.
Bringing these responsibilities together will strengthen coordination, improve policy implementation, and reinforce the government’s commitment to making homes, buildings and communities safer.
The change delivers on a key recommendation from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s Phase 2 report, which advised that fire and building safety should be overseen by a single department.
Following the publication of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s Phase 2 report on 4 September 2024, the Prime Minister acknowledged the failings that led to the tragedy and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing the necessary reforms. This transfer of Ministerial responsibility for all fire functions to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government represents an important part of this work, and the government will continue to drive forward the necessary reforms to make sure a tragedy like Grenfell can never happen again.
The Minister for Building Safety and Local Growth who will be taking on responsibility for fire functions Alex Norris said:
“Ensuring the safety of people in their homes and communities is a top priority for this government. By bringing all fire and building safety responsibilities under one department, we are reinforcing accountability, improving coordination, and taking decisive action to protect lives.
“I would like to thank Dame Diana Johnson for her work in this important area. I look forward to working with fire and rescue services and key stakeholders to implement the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s recommendations and drive forward the reforms needed to keep people safe.
“This is a significant step in delivering meaningful change, making our buildings safer, and strengthening our country’s resilience for the future.”
Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson said:
“It has been an honour and privilege to serve as Minister for Fire.
“I would like to express my utmost gratitude to the brave firefighters in our fire and rescue services, who selflessly dedicate themselves to protecting the public from fire every day.
“I would also like to thank the government officials and stakeholders from across the sector I have worked with over the past nine months. Their drive to make the sector stronger has been invaluable and I am certain my good friend Alex Norris will also benefit from their advice.”
by Clair Mooney | 1 Apr, 2025 | Building Safety Act, Contractual and Legal
The Scottish Government published its response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report. The response recognises that whilst operating to a different Building Regulatory environment in Scotland, the Scottish Government accepts all recommendations and will seek to use to implrement changes in Scotland.
The response confirms that the Scottish Government will continue to work with the Construction Quality Improvement Collaborative (FIS is already a supporter of the CQIC Construction Quality Charter and is encouraging members to do the same) to take forward work on industry culture, seeking to embed the principles that help to form a positive culture within industry through practice. It will also work with the Skills Working Group of the Construction Leadership Forum’s Transformation Board to establish the best approach to wider industry competence.
Alongside the response, the Scottish Government published its cladding remediation plan of action, which outlines the following key actions:
- an initial £10 million investment for those who have concerns about cladding to have their building assessed through a Single Open Call. This will be extended to cover mitigation and/or remediation works by the end of June 2025.
- finalising the Developer Remediation Contract and working with developers to accelerate progress with remediation.
- continue to take forward assessment, mitigation and remediation for properties for which the Scottish Government has taken the lead.
- continue to promote better communication with owners, residents and tenants.
Read the full response and Ministerial Foreword here.
by Oscar Venus | 28 Mar, 2025 | Building Safety Act
The National Building Specification (NBS) event recently witnessed a record-breaking turnout, with over 4,000 specifiers registering to explore pressing issues in the industry. One of the standout sessions at the event was a critical discussion led by the CEO of FIS, Iain McIlwee, representing specialist supply chains. This session delved into the pressing design concerns highlighted by extensive research, technical disputes, and feedback from recent member events.
The focal point of the webinar was the impact of the Building Safety Act on the design process for non-Higher Risk Buildings. This legislation has brought about significant changes, and the webinar aimed to dissect its implications for design development in the construction sector. Iains insights were particularly valuable, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for industry professionals.
The event was sponsored by Knauf, underscoring the importance of collaboration among key players in navigating the evolving landscape of building safety. For those who couldn’t attend, a recording of the insightful one-hour webinar is available, offering a chance to revisit the discussions and gain a deeper understanding of these critical issues.
This event not only highlighted the ongoing concerns within the industry but also emphasised the need for continuous dialogue and innovation to ensure safety and efficiency in building design. As the sector adapts to new regulations, events like these play a pivotal role in equipping professionals with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed.
by Oscar Venus | 28 Feb, 2025 | Building Safety Act
Government on Wednesday 26th published its full response to the Grenfell Inquiry detailing their plans to address all 58 of the reports recommendations. The response reiterates that Government is committed to delivering a ‘strong response’ to the recommendations. The changes will be delivered using a ‘three‐phased approach’ over the course of this Parliament to deliver ‘meaningful change as quickly as possible’.
49 of the recommendations are being accepted in full by the government and other responsible organisations. As regards the remaining 9, which are all directed at government, the government accepts them in principle and makes clear in our response how we will implement them.
To coincide with the response Government published a construction products green paper, which sets out proposals for system-wide reform of the construction products sector, the regulatory regime that governs it and the institutions that must fulfil their responsibilities in assuring safe products that can be safely used.
Proposals include changes to the licensing of Conformity Assessment Bodies; mandatory data reporting; reforms to create clearer accountability for manufacturers and distributors; establishing a Construction Library; expanding the national regulator’s surveillance powers and improving the regulatory framework for products.
The response also confirms that the Building Safety Regulator will also put Approved Document B under continuous review, notwithstanding improvements implemented since 2017. The Building Safety Regulator will launch a consultation on further changes by autumn 2025.
Government will direct the Regulator of Social Housing to set standards for the competence and conduct of staff. Additionally they will be engaging a panel of experts and academics to consider how we best achieve the reform that is required in Fire Engineering. We plan to set out how we will deliver this by autumn 2025. They also announced that they will legislate to make it a mandatory requirement for fire risk assessors to have their competence to perform this critical role independently verified by a United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accredited certification body.
Amongst the other recommendations, one that will be particularly significant for the Finishes and Interiors Sector is response to Recommendation 21:
Recommendation 21
That a licensing scheme operated by the construction regulator be introduced for principal contractors wishing to undertake the construction or refurbishment of higher-risk buildings and that it be a legal requirement that any application for building control approval for the construction or refurbishment of a higher-risk building (Gateway 2) be supported by a personal undertaking from a director or senior manager of the principal contractor to take all reasonable care to ensure that on completion and handover the building is as safe as is required by the Building Regulations. (113.33)
The government accepts this recommendation.
We will review the impact of the new dutyholder regime in relation to higher-risk buildings, working with the sector to determine how we can go further, including introducing a licensing scheme for principal contractors where a licence may be granted on the basis of criteria aligned with the dutyholder requirements and can be withdrawn for failure to achieve compliance with the regulations.
by Oscar Venus | 28 Feb, 2025 | Building Safety Act
Following a meeting between Client and Professional Services members involved in the development of Higher‐Risk Buildings (HRBs) and the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), Build UK has produced an overview of the validation stage at Gateway Two and the documents that must be included in an application for Building Control Approval to the BSR. This has been made available to FIS Membership through our membership of BuildUK.
On receipt of each application, the BSR carries out an initial assessment to ensure that all the documents required have been submitted, which is known as the validation stage. With almost 30% of applications deemed invalid, we have summarised the documents that must be included in applications for both new and existing HRBs, as set out in the Building (Higher‐Risk Buildings Procedures) (England) Regulations 2023, to help improve the success rate. This guide is intended for Build UK members only and please do not share via websites or social media.
Gateway Two remains a significant challenge and the Prime Minister has pledged an additional £2 million to support the BSR to ‘continue improving the processing for new‐build applications’. Philip White, Chief Inspector of Buildings and Director of Building Safety at the HSE, has promised to clear the backlog of applications by the end of this financial year, although this applies only to applications submitted up to July 2024. The CLC has also established a task and finish group with a number of workstreams to work with the BSR to review the application process.
by Clair Mooney | 23 Jan, 2025 | Building Safety Act
Following a Freedom of Information request by a Build UK member, the HSE has confirmed that the Building Safety Regulator has received 1,427 applications for Building Control Approval for Higher‐Risk Buildings (HRBs), of which 214 have been approved (15%), 683 are pending approval (48%), and 530 were invalid, rejected or withdrawn (37%).
86% of the applications received were for existing HRBs, with 16% approved and 40% invalid, rejected or withdrawn. Only 9% of the applications received were for new HRBs and just 7% of these have been approved, with 70% still pending approval. It was also confirmed that the applications which were approved took an average of 17 weeks for existing HRBs and 14 weeks for new HRBs.
