Nearly eight years on from the devastating Grenfell Tower fire, the pursuit of justice and meaningful change continues. The Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) Committee has recently concluded its inquiry into Grenfell and building safety, welcoming the Government’s acceptance of all recommendations from the Phase 2 report of the Grenfell Inquiry. However, the Committee stresses that acceptance is only the first step; robust implementation and accountability are paramount.

The Commons HCLG letter outlines crucial action points for the Government to ensure these recommendations translate into tangible improvements and prevent future tragedies.

Key Calls to Action for Government

The Commons HCLG Letter has laid out a series of urgent recommendations for the Government and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Here’s a breakdown of the critical action points:

1. Establish a National Oversight Mechanism

• The Government must consult as soon as possible on a new system of formal implementation monitoring for accepted recommendations from all public inquiries. This should not be a case of the Government “marking its own homework.”
• This new system should be in place, and Grenfell Inquiry recommendations should be actively monitored before the tenth anniversary of the fire (14 June 2027).
• Consider introducing this as a provision in the upcoming “Hillsborough Bill”.
• This mechanism could be a national oversight body, as advocated by INQUEST and Grenfell United, or Parliament could consider setting up its own Public Inquiries Committee.
• The system must monitor all accepted recommendations, including those for local authorities like the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC).

2. Enhance Engagement with the Grenfell Community

• Before any future decisions regarding the Grenfell site, the Government must ensure it has a full and up-to-date contact list of all those affected, including bereaved family members living abroad.
• Everyone on this list must be contacted and their input sought to ensure all voices, particularly from minority ethnic backgrounds, are heard and contribute to decision-making processes.

3. Address Capacity and Reform in Building Regulation and Control

• Appoint the independent panel on the future of building control as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for recommendations before their scheduled publication in Autumn 2025.
• Consider giving this panel statutory footing to ensure its recommendations are implemented.
• The panel should lay out a plan for driving up and funding the recruitment of building control professionals and fire engineers to address current shortages.
• The Government must pay due regard to feedback from its consultation on the Construction Products Green Paper when deciding the final role and remit of the new single construction regulator.
• Ensure the role and remit of the new regulator are clear and distinct from existing bodies like the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) and the Office for Product Safety and Standards.

4. Improve the Building Safety Regulator’s (BSR) Efficacy

• Review how to best support the BSR in improving its day-to-day operations. This could include allowing it to address issues on an organisation-by-organisation basis, rather than building-by-building.
• Continue to work with the BSR and the sector to enable developers to submit better quality applications that meet fire safety requirements, potentially through new or revised guidance.

5. Accelerate and Fund Building Remediation Fairly

• The Government must write to the HCLG Committee explaining how it will address developer concerns about the Building Safety Levy’s impact on housing supply before it comes into effect in Autumn 2026.
• This explanation should include a new estimate for how much the Levy intends to raise. If lower than the original £3.4bn, outline steps to make up the funding discrepancy, preferably through developer contributions.
• Make changes to existing remediation funds to ensure social housing providers have equal access to funding as private landlords. This will help them maintain existing stock and build new social housing.
• The upcoming refreshed Remediation Acceleration Plan (RAP) should include details on further steps to protect residents from remediation costs and account for the Public Accounts Committee’s recommendations.

6. Implement Other Crucial Building Safety Measures

• Lay the regulations for mandating Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) for disabled residents in high-rise buildings (over 11 metres) in the current quarter (Q2 2025).
• As part of the Spending Review, allocate sufficient funding to responsible parties to ensure they can produce PEEPs for all disabled residents in their buildings.
• Urgently review the decision not to mandate sprinklers in existing care homes. If the policy persists, lay out plans for inspecting current fire safety arrangements in these homes.

7. Ensure a Smooth Transition for Fire and Rescue Services

• The Minister should keep the HCLG Committee updated on the progress of transferring fire safety functions from the Home Office to MHCLG, addressing any issues to ensure a timely transition.
• The new Minister responsible for fire must take forward the commitment to address the Home Affairs Committee’s findings on problematic workplace cultures in fire and rescue services. This includes considering the implementation of their May 2024 recommendations.

The Path Forward

The Grenfell tragedy exposed systemic failures that demand comprehensive and lasting solutions. The Government’s commitment to implementing the Inquiry’s recommendations is a vital step, but the true test lies in the diligence, transparency, and effectiveness of that implementation. An independent oversight mechanism is not just desirable but essential to maintain momentum and ensure accountability.

The HCLG Committee, along with survivors, bereaved families, and the wider public, will be watching closely. The time for action is now.

Read the full letter here: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/47864/documents/250397/default/