The Building Safety Regulator has become a standalone organisation, paving the way for the creation of a single construction regulator.
The announcement will see the BSR move out of the jurisdiction of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to become an arm’s-length body under the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
Originally established in 2021 in response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy, BSR’s full powers came into force under the Building Safety Act 2022.
As a new organisation, the BSR will work towards establishing a single regulator by promoting competence and higher standards. It will drive a culture change required by everyone working in the built environment to support the government’s ambition to build more safe homes, and remediate those which are unsafe.
The government says that the move to standalone status is underpinned by a significant ‘operational reset’ in the BSR’s role as the building control authority for higher-risk buildings.
Following the introduction of its Innovation Unit and new efficiency measures, the regulator’s operational delivery is fast improving, bringing it closer to its 12 week target.
Lord Roe, chair of the BSR, said: “Today is a decisive and important step in strengthening building safety and a milestone that marks our evolution into a standalone regulator. While the creation of BSR in 2021 was a watershed moment, today is about looking forward to a single construction regulator that brings coherence to a once-fragmented system.”
“We will know we are successful when residents acknowledge we have made the built environment safer.”
“Today is about continuing to support homes being built safely while fulfilling our primary mission: ensuring we are all building better and living safer, together.”
Charlie Pugsley, acting chief executive officer of the BSR, said: “Today is a significant new chapter for BSR, with a clear signal that while we must continue to focus on improving our operational delivery for both new build homes and occupied HRBs, our mandate extends far beyond high-rise oversight to a broader responsibility for safety and standards across buildings in England.”
“By driving professional competence and refining regulatory guidance, we can ensure a holistic approach that spans from initial design through to lifelong building management.”
“Our commitment to robust enforcement and cultural transformation serves a single, vital purpose in 2026 and beyond – restoring resident confidence and trust in the built environment.”
Samantha Dixon, building safety minister, said: “Everyone deserves to live in a safe home and we are determined to deliver lasting change to make this a reality.”
“The Building Safety Regulator sits at the heart of this mission, and today launching a new body is an important step in realising sector wide reform.”
“I look forward to working with the new leadership team on our journey towards the Single Construction Regulator.”
