Government Publishes Latest Progress Report on Grenfell Tower Inquiry Recommendations
The Government has released its second quarterly progress report detailing how it is implementing the recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. The update confirms that two additional Phase 1 recommendations have now been completed, focusing on the provision and storage of Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) for residents in High-Rise Residential Buildings (HRBs).
This progress forms part of the Government’s wider commitment to act on all 58 recommendations from the Inquiry. To provide greater transparency, an implementation timeline has also been published, outlining when each recommendation is expected to be completed.
By the end of this year, the Government aims to:
- Begin consultation on Approved Document B, which covers fire safety guidance for building design and construction;
- Launch consultation on a proposed licensing scheme for Principal Contractors working on HRBs;
- Publish further details on the design of a single construction regulator; and
- Review the current definition of Higher-Risk Buildings.
Given the scale and complexity of the reforms, it is expected to take at least four years to fully implement all the recommendations, as several require primary legislation that depends on Parliamentary time.
Industry Leadership and the Importance of Competence
At the recent Building the Future Conference, hosted by Building Magazine, Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol OBE chaired a Building Safety Panel discussion emphasising the critical role of both corporate and individual competence in delivering safer buildings.
Joining her on the panel were Andy Roe (Building Safety Regulator) and Build UK members Paul Brown (John Sisk & Son), Rachel Davidson (BESA), and Brett King (Procore). Together, they reinforced the need for consistent standards across the construction sector to ensure that the lessons from Grenfell are fully embedded in day-to-day practice.
Industry Competence Committee Seeks Feedback
The Industry Competence Committee (ICC) has taken another step forward by publishing draft guidance for organisations on how to manage and assess the competence of their workforce. The guidance follows early consultations with industry stakeholders earlier this year and aims to provide a practical framework for maintaining competence across all levels of construction activity.
The ICC is currently inviting feedback on the draft to determine whether the proposed approach is workable and effective in practice. Industry members are encouraged to share their views through an online survey, which is open until Thursday, 6 November. NFRC will be making its own response, and Members are encouraged to email [email protected] if they have any thoughts they wish to contribute.