Government pledges regulatory overhaul following Grenfell Inquiry findings

The UK government has committed to enacting all 58 recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s Phase 2 report, published on 26 February 2025.

The response introduces stricter construction product safety regulations, enhanced protections for social housing tenants, and a new single construction regulator. Seven organisations named in the inquiry report will also be investigated under new procurement laws, which could lead to them being banned from public contracts.

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.”

Stronger regulations for construction and fire safety

The government has outlined a series of reforms to address failings identified in the inquiry, including:

• The creation of a single construction regulator to oversee compliance and accountability in building safety.
• New rules for construction products, ensuring stricter oversight of manufacturers and certification bodies.
• The introduction of a Hillsborough Law, imposing a legal duty on public authorities to disclose the truth in major incidents.
• Greater legal protections for residents, obliging landlords to act on safety concerns and ensuring social housing tenants can challenge landlords.

Building Safety Minister Alex Norris said: “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.”

Industry accountability and enforcement measures

The government will use Procurement Act powers to investigate seven organisations found to have failed in their responsibilities regarding Grenfell Tower. These include Arconic, Kingspan, Celotex, Exova, Harley Facades, Rydon Maintenance, and Studio E Architects.

If the investigations find grounds for enforcement, these companies could be placed on a debarment list, restricting them from securing public contracts.

Angela Rayner said: “The organisations responsible for building safety failures included the government and regulators. The failures of my department meant risks were ignored, delayed, or disregarded.”

Commitment to supporting Grenfell community and long-term reforms

The government has pledged ongoing support for the Grenfell community and will work with the independent Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission to establish a lasting tribute.

Other key measures include:

• The publication of quarterly progress reports on the implementation of Inquiry recommendations, starting mid-2025.
• The introduction of a Fire and Rescue College, designed to improve training and professionalism in the fire service.
• A mandatory accreditation system for fire risk assessors to prevent unqualified individuals from making critical safety decisions.
• The continued implementation of a new Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEPs) policy for high-risk buildings.

The government has also reaffirmed its commitment to the Remediation Acceleration Plan, aimed at expediting the removal of unsafe cladding from high-rise buildings.

Industry reacts to government’s Grenfell Inquiry response

National Fire Chiefs Council welcomes reforms

Mark Hardingham, chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), said the announcement was an important step but stressed the need for continued progress.

“We strongly welcome the government’s acceptance of the Phase 2 recommendations in full, their commitment to introducing tough reforms to fix building safety, their promise to hold industry to account, and their support in fire and rescue service improvement and reform,” Hardingham said.

He added that fire and rescue services had learned lessons since Grenfell, but further work was necessary to address systemic failures: “Services are now better prepared to respond to fires in high-rise residential buildings. But there is further, significant, work underway.”

Fire Brigades Union calls for systemic change

Steve Wright, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), welcomed the government’s acceptance of the Inquiry’s findings but emphasised that the response must lead to real change.

“The Grenfell Tower fire was a preventable tragedy. As the public inquiry concluded last year, it was made possible by an agenda of deregulation and decades of political failure,” Wright said.

He called for greater public oversight: “Government at all levels must listen to the voices of residents. The deregulation of recent years must be reversed to prevent profiteers from putting lives at risk.”

London Fire Commissioner supports reform efforts

The London Fire Commissioner also responded to the government’s announcement, welcoming the commitment to change and the increased focus on resident safety.

“We welcome the government’s commitment to put residents at the heart of the system, and that must start with those people most impacted by this terrible tragedy,” he said.

Fire risk assessor highlights concerns over implementation

Benjamin Ralph, head of building safety and fire at built environment consultancy Hollis, supported the introduction of mandatory accreditation for fire risk assessors but warned of potential challenges.

“Mandatory accreditation for fire risk assessors and the regulation of the fire engineering profession is a crucial step forward,” Ralph said.

However, he cautioned that the transition must be carefully managed: “With a skills shortage already challenging building safety, an abrupt shift could delay vital work. The government must provide clear timelines and fund upskilling to ensure residents are prioritised.”

On the Remediation Acceleration Plan, Ralph said: “It’s good to see the government reaffirm its commitment, but progress must be faster. Residents should not have to wait another five years to feel safe in their homes.”

Industry response on fire safety reforms

Lee Goodenough, director at Harmony Fire, described the government’s response as an essential step towards improving safety standards.

“Today marks an important milestone in both the quest for justice and the drive to make resident safety a non-negotiable across the UK,” Goodenough said.

He added: “We now move forward on an agreed pathway, with clear expectations on government actions and deliverables. Harmony Fire is committed to playing our role in making these critical changes happen.”

Government commits to full implementation of Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 recommendations: Summary

The UK government has confirmed it will implement all 58 recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report, published on 26 February 2025. The response includes the creation of a single construction regulator, tougher oversight of construction products, and legal protections for social housing tenants.

Seven organisations named in the report will be investigated under the Procurement Act, which could see them barred from public contracts.

The government will introduce a Hillsborough Law, mandating transparency from public authorities in major incidents. It has also committed to a Fire and Rescue College and new accreditation requirements for fire risk assessors.

The Remediation Acceleration Plan will continue, with the government aiming to remove unsafe cladding from high-rise buildings. Progress updates will be published every three months.

Fire safety organisations, including the NFCC, FBU, and London Fire Brigade, have welcomed the government’s response but stress the need for continued implementation and funding. Fire risk experts have also warned of potential challenges in enforcing new standards without further investment in training.