The next phase of implementation of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations

The government have outlined the next phase of work to implement the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations, including proposals on construction regulation, professional competence, and building safety oversight.

CIH welcome the continued focus on resident safety and the shift from setting rules to making safety a reality with a greater emphasis on competence, culture, proportionality, and delivery. We also recognise the importance of a Single Construction Regulator to support a more effective, joined-up approach that drives safety and accountability.

What this means in practice:

• Residential PEEPs move into delivery from April 2026, with person-centred, consent-based approaches at the heart of implementation
• No change to the definition of higher-risk buildings at this stage, following an evidence-based review - with a commitment to ongoing review
• Reform of the Building Safety Regulator is intended to improve how the system operates, with changes expected to processes rather than standards
• Greater focus on professional competence, including next steps towards statutory regulation of the fire engineering profession.

CIH policy lead on building safety, Dr Eve Blezard, commented on the announcements saying: "The proposed reforms to the Building Safety Regulator mark an important shift in improving how the system operates, and we support the focus on improving processes rather than changing standards to maintain safety while addressing delivery and capacity concerns." 

Members are welcome to contribute to our own response to this, but we also encourage our members to engage with the Single Construction Regulator consultation and contribute directly to the development of the regulatory system. You can access the consultation here.

CIH will be working on a response to the consultation in the new year and will also develop member materials to help the sector understand what the announcements mean in practice and how they sit with other reforms, including building safety, professionalism, and resident-centred approaches.