Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2: Scottish Government outlines building and fire safety reforms

Scottish Government responds to Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report

The Scottish Government has accepted all applicable recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report.

As reported by the Scottish Government, the response outlines measures to improve building standards, strengthen fire safety systems, and ensure competence across construction professions in Scotland.

The Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 caused 72 deaths and triggered a wide-ranging public inquiry into the roles of government, regulators, contractors and fire services.

Eight policy themes guide government’s reforms

The Ministerial Working Group on Grenfell, established in advance of the Phase 2 report’s publication, organised the recommendations into eight themes.

These cover regulation and systems, government restructuring, fire tests and product certification, design competence, firefighting, resilience, assorted matters and additional housing issues.

The Scottish Government’s response accepts the 58 recommendations where they apply to devolved matters and outlines a framework for working with the UK Government on reserved areas.

Newlegislation to improve building compliance and enforcement

The Scottish Government intends to introduce legislation following consultation to reinforce the building standards system.

Plans include a new compliance plan manager role, stronger enforcement powers and sanctions, and an expanded certification framework.

The Building Standards Futures Board will oversee implementation of these changes and continue its reform programme.

Fire safety campaign to target high-rise domestic buildings

A national fire safety awareness campaign will run through 2025 across high-rise buildings.

The campaign will focus on supporting vulnerable people with evacuation guidance and will promote Home Fire Safety Visits by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).

The campaign is part of efforts to implement Inquiry Recommendation 57 and increase public knowledge on fire safety practices.

Training and competence in fire risk assessment to be strengthened

The Scottish Government will bring forward legislation to mandate accreditation for fire risk assessors, following a public consultation.

At present, there is no legal requirement for formal qualifications in Scotland.

This response addresses Recommendation 26, which highlights a lack of oversight and accreditation that contributed to failings at Grenfell Tower.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to support digital transition and inspections

SFRS is replacing analogue radios with digital models and reviewing training and operations control.

HM Fire Service Inspectorate in Scotland will conduct thematic inspections on incident command and control rooms, in line with Inquiry Recommendations 31 to 33.

The rollout of digital radios started in 2024 and is expected to complete in 2025.

Competency standards for fire engineers and architects under review

Scotland supports UK-wide action to regulate fire engineers and improve education for architects.

The government will engage with the UK Government and professional bodies to define competencies and expand access to fire engineering degree programmes.

Scotland is also reviewing continuing professional development requirements for designers and fire service personnel.

Personal emergency evacuation planning under consideration

The Scottish Government supports Recommendation 57 in principle and will explore the introduction of person-centred risk assessments or evacuation plans.

A 2025 campaign will share updated fire safety toolkits with factors, landlords and residents’ associations.

Further steps may follow the Scottish Law Commission’s 2026 recommendations on mandatory homeowners’ associations.

New protocols for firefighting equipment and water supply

SFRS will continue its review of fireground communication equipment, including radios and hydrant systems.

Existing protocols with Scottish Water will also be assessed to ensure adequate water pressure and access in emergencies.

Operational learning from incidents will remain a focus of internal reviews and assurance visits.

Greater integration of resilience planning with voluntary and community sectors

The Scottish Government will review resilience doctrine and guidance during 2025–2026.

Planned updates aim to clarify roles of Category 1 responders and strengthen partnerships with local authorities and community groups.

Training and learning needs will be identified through consultation to support future resilience capability.

Future work includes review of Section 2 (Fire) of the Technical Handbooks

Scottish Ministers will launch a Call for Evidence to review Section 2 (Fire) of the Building Standards Technical Handbooks.

The review will address standards for cladding, compartmentation and evacuation strategy for high-risk buildings.

Findings from the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 report will inform this process alongside planned updates to the Scottish Advice Note on external walls.

Collaboration with UK Government on reserved matters

The Scottish Government confirmed it will work with the UK Government on matters such as construction product regulation, fire engineer licensure and contractor accreditation.

The UK Government’s Construction Products Reform Green Paper, published in February 2025, will inform the Scottish approach to product safety.

Scotland supports developing a shared product information library and single construction regulator across the UK.

Commitment to a culture of competence and regulation

Scottish Ministers will continue work on competence assessment for building professionals, including an independent evaluation scheme by 2027.

Engagement with the construction sector and public bodies will help ensure that regulatory changes are practical and enforceable.

Training, certification and clear accountability remain priorities for long-term system reform.

Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2: Scottish Government outlines building and fire safety reforms: Summary

The Scottish Government has published its official response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report.

The government accepts all recommendations relevant to Scotland and outlines actions across eight policy themes.

Key reforms include planned legislation to strengthen the building standards system, enforce compliance, and improve fire risk assessment.

SFRS will support these actions with training, inspections and a new fire safety awareness campaign in 2025.

Legislation on new roles such as the Compliance Plan Manager and mandatory accreditation of fire risk assessors will be introduced following consultation.

The Scottish Government will also continue collaboration with the UK Government on reserved matters, including regulation of fire engineers and construction product safety.

A review of the fire standards within Section 2 of the Building Standards Technical Handbooks will be launched, with a call for evidence to be issued in 2025.

Further reforms will focus on competence, enforcement, resilience planning and support for vulnerable residents in high-rise buildings.