New Single Construction Regulator

In a recent session with Build UK, the Single Regulator Team at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) outlined the Single Construction Regulator Prospectus and its ambition to create a unified regulatory framework focused on delivering safer, better-performing buildings. 

The creation of a Single Construction Regulator was the first recommendation made in the final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. The report proposed 12 core responsibilities for the new body, covering oversight of buildings, construction products and professionals working across the built environment. 

The Government has agreed to adopt 10 of those proposed functions. These include introducing a licensing system for contractors working on Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs), overseeing the operation of Building Regulations and related statutory guidance, and establishing accreditation arrangements for fire risk assessors. However, it has rejected the recommendation that the regulator should take on responsibility for product testing and certification, citing potential conflicts of interest. Instead, wider reforms to the construction products framework will be detailed in a forthcoming White Paper due this spring. 

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR), now operating as an arm’s-length body under MHCLG, will form the basis of the new structure. Existing regulatory organisations will be enhanced and their responsibilities transferred into the new regulator in stages. 

Legislation to formally establish the Single Construction Regulator is expected to be introduced to Parliament in spring 2027, with the new system anticipated to come into effect from 2028. 

Members are invited to provide feedback on the Prospectus by Friday 20 March. For those unable to attend the recent Building Safety call, MHCLG will host a webinar on the proposals on Tuesday 10 March from 10:00am to 11:00am.