The government has announced that it will introduce a single regulator for the entire construction industry as part of its response to the Grenfell Inquiry.
Angela Rayner said that the current regulatory system would be streamlined into one single body that would report to a single secretary of state, which the housing secretary said will “mark the start of a new relationship between government and industry”.
In her statement to the House of Commons yesterday (26/02), Rayner said that the government would take action on all of the 58 recommendations made by the Grenfell Inquiry which was published last September.
The housing minister also announced that a chief construction advisor would be appointed which would deliver expert advice on construction matters to ministers.
The MHCLG said: “We will hold actors in the system to account, effectively enforce standards, steward the highest standards of culture and behaviour and facilitate transparent conversations,” and that it “expects the industry to take responsibility to instil this change”.
Other action taken following the Inquiry will include tougher oversight on the companies responsible for manufacturing, testing and certifying construction products, and that harsher penalties will be introduced for those that break the rules.
The government will also use new powers included in the Procurement Act to investigate the seven organisations criticised in the Inquiry, which included Arconic, Saint Gobain and Kingspan. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, the businesses could be added to a debarment list which must be taken into consideration by authorities when awarding contracts.
The response to the Inquiry also included the introduction of a new “Hillsborough Law” which would ensure transparency in major incidents by compelling public authorities to “disclose the truth” so that those responsible can be held to account.
The government will implement its reforms in phases during its parliament. The first phase, covering 2025 to 2026, will focus on delivering its current programme of regulatory reform while the second phase, covering 2026 to 2028, will see the delivery of the Inquiry’s recommendations, with the implementation of the reforms beginning in 2028. Quarterly updates will be provided on the government’s progress, starting this summer, while an annual update will be given to parliament to allow for “wider scrutiny of the pace and direction of work”.
Rayner said: “The Grenfell Tower tragedy claimed 72 innocent lives in a disaster that should never have happened. The final report exposed in stark and devastating detail the shocking industry behaviour and wider failures that led to the fire and the deep injustices endured by the bereaved, survivors, and residents.”
She continued to say: “We must deliver the fundamental change required. We owe that to the Grenfell community, to the country, and to the memory of those who lost their lives.”
Building safety minister, Alex Norris, commented: “Our response today to the Inquiry’s findings sets out a comprehensive plan to reform the construction sector, strengthen oversight and make sure that residents are the priority when deciding on building safety issues.”
“We will continue working closely with industry, local authorities and the Grenfell community to make sure these reforms deliver real, lasting change and rebuild trust.”
