House of Lords opens inquiry into Building Safety Regulator

Committee seeks evidence on building safety regulation

The House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee has launched an inquiry into the performance of the Building Safety Regulator, according to the committee’s announcement on 20 June 2025.

The committee, chaired by Baroness Taylor of Bolton, said the inquiry will examine how effectively the regulator is operating since it was established under the Building Safety Act 2022.

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) was set up within the Health and Safety Executive. It is responsible for overseeing the safety of higher-risk residential buildings across England.

The inquiry will focus on whether the BSR has improved safety standards and how it is affecting the delivery of new homes, including possible delays in the approvals process.

The committee is seeking written submissions from stakeholders across the construction and housing sectors by 31 August 2025.

Review follows post-Grenfell building reforms

The inquiry follows changes introduced after the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, which led to an independent review by Dame Judith Hackitt.

The review recommended a new regulatory framework for higher-risk buildings, which include those over 18 metres tall or with seven or more storeys containing at least two residential units.

The government accepted these recommendations, and the BSR was formally established in 2022 through the Building Safety Act.

The regulator oversees design and construction standards for higher-risk buildings. It does not directly approve construction of lower-risk buildings but regulates the inspectors and control bodies that do.

The committee’s inquiry will consider whether this system is effective and proportionate.

Industry concerns over delays and delivery

According to the House of Lords announcement, some housing sector stakeholders have raised concerns that the BSR’s approval process is contributing to delays in building new homes.

These concerns are particularly relevant to the government’s aim of delivering 1.5 million homes during the next Parliament.

The committee will examine to what extent the BSR’s regulatory framework affects housing delivery timelines.

It will also assess whether the regulator’s processes are sufficiently clear for developers and whether staffing levels support timely decisions.

Baroness Taylor of Bolton said: “The safety of residents in higher-risk buildings was at the heart of the Building Safety Regulator being set up in 2022.”

She added: “The Committee wants to hear from all stakeholders to find out if the BSR has the skills and resources required to ensure the safety of all buildings and its residents in the process of approving applications for high-rise buildings.”

She continued: “This is crucial if the Government is going to achieve its manifesto target of building 1.5 million homes over the next Parliament.”

Key questions for stakeholders to address

The committee is inviting written evidence from a range of stakeholders, including safety professionals, local authorities, architects, housing associations and resident groups.

It is seeking views on whether the BSR has made buildings safer and if its approach to regulation is appropriate.

Other areas of interest include the regulator’s role in multidisciplinary assessments and the clarity of its processes.

The committee is also asking how the BSR’s framework compares with building safety approaches in other countries.

Questions include whether its work aligns effectively with the regulation of construction products and whether its collaboration with building control authorities is functioning properly.

Inquiry timeline and expected outcomes

The committee will hold public evidence sessions between June and September 2025.

Written submissions must be submitted by 31 August 2025.

According to the committee, the aim is to present findings to the House of Lords in Autumn 2025.

The evidence gathered will be used to assess the current regulatory system and determine whether reforms are needed.

The inquiry forms part of broader parliamentary scrutiny of post-Grenfell safety measures.

House of Lords opens inquiry into Building Safety Regulator: Summary

The House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee has launched an inquiry into the Building Safety Regulator.

The regulator was created by the Building Safety Act 2022 following the Grenfell Tower fire and Hackitt Review.

It is part of the Health and Safety Executive.

It regulates higher-risk residential buildings in England.

The committee is chaired by Baroness Taylor of Bolton.

Written submissions must be made by 31 August 2025.

Public sessions will run between June and September 2025.

Concerns have been raised about approval delays under the regulator.

The inquiry will assess impacts on housing delivery.

It will examine whether the regulator has adequate resources and staff.

It will consider how clear and workable its processes are for developers.

The committee will compare the UK system with international approaches.

Findings will be reported to the House of Lords in Autumn 2025.