The government has responded to the Dame Judith Hackitt Review is creating a stronger and more effective regulatory framework to improve building safety.
This will mean tougher sanctions for those who disregard residents’ safety, more rigorous standards and guidance for those undertaking building work, and a stronger voice for residents.
The plans outlined today (Tuesday 18 December) explain how the government will implement the recommendations made by Dame Judith Hackitt in her review of building regulations and fire safety published following the Grenfell Tower fire.
Building a Safer Future, commits the government to a programme of reform over the coming years which will:
- Take forward all of the recommendations in the Hackitt review;
- Create a more effective regulatory and accountability framework to provide greater oversight of the industry;
- Introduce clearer standards and guidance, including establishing a new Standards Committee to advise on construction product and system standards and regulations;
- Put residents at the heart of the new system of building safety, empowering them with more effective routes for engagement and redress;
- Help to create a culture change and a more responsible building industry, from design, through to construction and management.
The government will establish the Joint Regulators’ Group to trial elements of a new regulatory system ahead of any new proposed legislation. The group will bring existing regulatory bodies together to work with developers and building owners, as well as seeking input from residents and tenants, to develop and test new approaches that may later feature in legislation.
In addition to setting out its plans to implement the changes called for by Dame Judith Hackitt, a full review of fire safety guidance within building regulations has also been launched. The government has issued a ‘call for evidence’ that will gather expert advice on the full range of fire safety issues to enable guidance to be revised. The government is also inviting views from residents and those who manage buildings on how to improve fire and structural safety. Residents and building owners are invited to identify the best ways of working together to meet safety responsibilities and to share existing good practice.
Secretary of State for Communities, Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP said, “There is nothing more important than being safe in your own home and I am determined to improve building safety.
“My plan for stronger, tougher rules will make sure there is no hiding place for those who flout building safety rules. By making people responsible and more accountable for safety, we will create a more rigorous system so residents will always have peace of mind that they are safe in their own homes.
Kate Henderson, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation added, “The principles the Government have set out today are the right ones and we acknowledge the scale of the job that needs to be done, but residents, building owners and everyone involved in developing and managing high rise buildings will still be waiting for more detail on how the new building safety system will work in practice.
“The National Housing Federation has already been working with housing associations to take action over the last year and a half. We are backing the Government’s Early Adopters Scheme and Building Safety Charter, through which several housing associations are already trialling some of the much needed changes to the system. Beyond these schemes many housing associations are leading the way on developing and testing new processes for keeping tower blocks safe.
“All of this action must be seen as the starting point of a complete overhaul of our building safety system and it’s vital the government moves quickly to bring more clarity.”
