UK Construction Journal - Issue 1 - April 2026 - Flipbook - Page 36
regulation and enforcement. This paves the way for
the creation of a single construction regulator - a key
recommendation of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry, which delivered its final report
in September 2024, set out 58 recommendations, of which
37 were directed at the government and 21 were directed at
other bodies and institutions.
The government has also today introduced the Grenfell
Tower Memorial (Expenditure) Bill, providing the appropriate
spending authority to support the creation and long term
management of a fitting and lasting memorial, a second site
where the Grenfell Tower will be laid to rest, and an archive
and permanent exhibition.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed said:
“
“
The Grenfell fire was a tragedy that must never be
repeated.
Everyone should feel safe in their home. We are making
progress implementing the Inquiry recommendations, but
there is more to do as we continue to learn and act on the
mistakes of the past.”
•
Strengthening of the building safety rules, including the
design, construction and management of buildings.
•
Improvements in professional standards across
construction, fire engineering, building control and fire
risk assessment with new bodies to drive best practice,
including specialist training for 1,200 workers across the
sectors.
•
Greater support for residents, with more than 4,500
accessing training on how to exercise their rights and
hold their landlord to account and rights information
through government-funded programmes.
•
The acceleration of remediation, with over 180,000
residents benefiting from remediation having started or
completed across 2,100 buildings.
•
Stronger enforcement against those who put people at
risk through unsafe buildings, with local regulators issuing
124% more formal notices and 140% more inspections
by end of June 2025, compared to the period prior to
departmental funding.*
Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Democracy
Samantha Dixon said:
“
“
We will never forget the tragedy of Grenfell and will
continue working with the local community, industry
and local authorities to deliver safer homes and lasting
change.
The Metropolitan Police has been investigating the Grenfell
Tower tragedy since June 2017. This is one of the largest and
most legally complex investigations ever conducted by the
force, with around 180 officers and staff dedicated to the
investigation. The government is clear that those responsible
must be held to account and it fully supports the Met in this
important work.
The failings outlined by the inquiry exposed fundamental
issues in product, building and fire safety standards and
through the Construction Products White Paper and our
work to implement all the recommendations of the inquiry,
we will create a better system for millions of people across
the country.”
Notes:
Interim Chief Construction Advisor,
Thouria Istephan, said:
“
We must never forget the loss of 72 innocent lives
and the impact the tragedy continues to have on the
Grenfell community. The announcements today show
the important ongoing work to reform and improve the
complex regulatory system. We must strive to continue to
make lasting and progressive change that improves the
safety and quality of both new and existing buildings and,
crucially, place people who live and work in buildings at
the centre of our thinking.
“
As interim Chief Construction Adviser, I have published
a statement today setting my priorities and plans for
the remainder of my term. I will play my role to support
improvements in building safety and regulatory reform.”
•
The full annual report can be found here - https://www.
gov.uk/government/publications/grenfell-tower-inquirygovernment-annual-report-february-2026
•
The Construction Products Reform White Paper can
be found here - https://www.gov.uk/government/
consultations/construction-products-reform-white-paper
•
The full statement from the Interim Chief Construction
Adviser can be found here - https://www.gov.uk/
government/publications/statement-from-the-interimchief-construction-adviser
•
*Specifically, the two periods in question are Jan 2018
to Dec 2022 (post-Grenfell up to when funding started)
and Jan 2023 to June 2025. Since November 2022 the
government has supported local authorities to build their
remediation capacity and capability through funding,
engagement, and guidance.
Key progress and developments on wider-reform
and the implementation of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry
recommendations include:
•
The establishment of the independent Building Safety
Regulator to ensure a consistent approach to building
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