Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations: progress update - June 2026

Theme – Building regulation and systems

Recommendation 1 - Single Construction Industry Regulator Consolidation

Reserved area – Yes

Delivery – Reserved matter

Target date – 30/09/2028

Activity since last update

A Single Construction Regulator Prospectus was published on 17 December 2025 seeking views on the development of a single construction regulator. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in the UK Government is currently analysing the feedback submitted as part of the consultation on the Prospectus and the consultation report will be published in due course.

In particular, reform of the regime for construction products is key for Scotland and the Scottish Government expects to see a robust approach to regulation of construction products across the UK.

Planned activity

We will continue to engage with MHCLG on this to hear about next steps once the consultation report is published.

Further information - Single construction regulator prospectus - GOV.UK.

Recommendation 2 - High Risk Building Definition Review

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Primary legislation (Scottish Parliament)

Target date – 30/09/2028

Activity since last update

Overall Delivery Timeline: Delivery is associated with changes to primary legislation. Our response to the Grenfell Inquiry’s final report set out that further legislation will be required subject to consultation and agreement by the Parliament.

In the interim, the Scottish Government has introduced guidance to implement the principles of the Compliance Plan Approach to building warrant projects. The definition of high-risk buildings is wider than that set out within the Building Safety Act 2022. All buildings within our definition of high-risk buildings would be subject to the new compliance plan approach when being built or having warrantable work carried out.

Supporting documents -

• High risk buildings - verification during construction: compliance plan approach - background and implementation
• High risk buildings - verification during construction: verifiers guidance
• High risk buildings - verification during construction: industry guidance

Planned activity

The scope of the High-Risk Buildings definition will be further considered once analysis of the recent call for evidence has been completed. This is anticipated late summer 2026.

Further information – Scottish building regulation – fire safety review and compliance: call for evidence

Recommendation 20 - Principal Designer Safety Statement Requirement

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Primary legislation (Scottish Parliament)

Target date – 30/09/2028

Activity since last update

Overall Delivery Timeline: Delivery is associated with changes to primary legislation. Our response to the Grenfell Inquiry’s final report set out that further legislation will be required subject to consultation and agreement by the Parliament.

The Scottish Government has introduced guidance to implement the principles of the Compliance Plan Approach to building warrant projects. Analysis of the guidance in use will deliver data on how best to incorporate additional compliance statements into legislation, subordinate to the Building (Scotland) Act 2003 including the Building (Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 and the Building (Forms) (Scotland) Regulations 2005.

Supporting documents -

• High risk buildings - verification during construction: compliance plan approach - background and implementation
• High risk buildings - verification during construction: verifiers guidance
• High risk buildings - verification during construction: industry guidance

Planned activity

Engagement with Local Authorities and industry on use of delivered guidance is planned for 2026/2027 in partnership with Scotland’s construction innovation centre -Built Environment Smarter Transformation.

Recommendation 21 - Higher Risk Building Contractor Licensing Scheme

Reserved area – Yes

Delivery –The operation of a licensing scheme for principal contractors as described is not a reserved or devolved matter in itself, unless it is tied explicitly to building regulation submissions under the Building Safety Act 2022, so opportunity exists for such a scheme to be applicable and of use in Scotland.

Target date – 31/12/2029

Activity since last update

Scottish Government officials continue to engage with counterparts in MHCLG as this work progresses.

MHCLG is leading the development of the policy framework for a licensing scheme for principal contractors, which will inform a future options paper. A Call for Evidence on the proposed approach is expected later this year. Any future licensing scheme is anticipated to be developed in alignment with arrangements across the UK to support consistency in implementation.

In parallel, a review of the duty holder role is being undertaken. Scottish Government officials will be invited to participate in a series of workshops scheduled for later this year, providing an opportunity to contribute to test emerging proposals for the design of a principal contractor licensing regime.

Separately, the UK Government published its Call for Evidence: Strategy for the Built Environment Professions, Trades and Occupations on 20 May 2026, with responses invited until 12 August 2026. The Call for Evidence seeks views on the key barriers, opportunities and interdependencies relating to competence, behaviour and accountability across the built environment sector. It does not, however, seek views on specific policy proposals relating to the licensing of principal contractors.

Scottish Government officials will continue to monitor developments closely and engage with MHCLG to ensure Scottish interests are reflected as policy proposals are developed.

The Federation of Masters Buildings have called for a licensing scheme for contractors, but with a remit that is wider than higher risk buildings as covered by the recommendation. Scottish Government officials will continue to engage with industry in Scotland under the Building Standards Futures Board as this work progresses.

Planned activity

We will continue to engage with the UK Government as they progress this recommendation.

Recommendation 22 - Building Control Independence Review

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Guidance/legislation (Scottish Parliament)

Target date – 30/09/2028

Activity since last update

The Building Control Independent Panel was established in April 2025 to consider the impact of commercial pressures and conflicts of interest by building control bodies as highlighted in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report. The issues being considered do not relate to Scotland as there is no mixed public and private sector arrangement which drove the behaviours identified in the report.

The Building Control Independent Panel report was published on 20 May 2026 and 21 recommendations are included to strengthen the building control system in England. The report indicated that the panel’s assessment was that the building control system for most building work in England cannot, in its present form, deliver the independent, consistent and proactive assurance of building safety and standards that the public expects.

The report sets out a fundamental structural realignment of the building control system to ensure building control bodies are publicly accountable with clear statutory duties and clearly defined roles.

Planned activity

The recommendations in the panel’s report mirror key characteristics of the Scottish building standards system with reference to:

• a single statutory process for applications, approvals and enforcement notices;
• a drive to improving rates of compliance with building regulations;
• improving fee income and reinvestment in service delivery;
• extending powers to stop non-compliant work;
• improving data standards;
• competency assessment, validation and revalidation and
• measuring performance.

These recommendations for strengthening the building control function are integral elements of the Scottish building standards system, supporting legislation and procedures. Further strengthening of the system, as directed by the Building Standards Futures Board, is introducing the Compliance Plan Manager role and a new approach to raising compliance for high risk building initially. Future legislative changes will also introduce a stronger deterrent to non-compliance with building regulations through greater enforcement powers for local authorities and tougher penalties for offences.

There is no direct relevance from the recommendations to the building standards system in Scotland.

Scottish Government Building Standards Division’s (BSD) review of the pre-emptive building standards system, including a review of how verifiers take responsibility for verifying their own building projects, is intended to check how the system is operating and whether or not there is scope for improvement.

The review is due for completion by October 2026. At this time, auditing of verification services will begin and the process will review the verifier’s approach to impartiality and accountability to the public to provide assurance that the duty to the public is met.

Further information - Building Control Independent Panel report - GOV.UK

Recommendation 23 - National Building Control Authority Assessment

Reserved area – Yes

Delivery – Guidance/legislation (Scottish Parliament)

Target date – 30/09/2028

Activity since last update

This recommendation is directly related to recommendation 22 which seeks to restructure the building control function in England due to conflicts arising from commercial interests that were identified in the report. The narrative on recommendation 22 confirms there are no direct impacts for how the Scottish building standards system is delivered by 32 local authorities as building standards verifiers with responsibility for administering the system in their area of geographical responsibility.

The Building Standards Futures Board considered a new delivery model for Scotland which saw support for the current model of 32 building standards verifiers. The Scottish Building Standards Hub was introduced to provide a centre of expertise and a focus for driving national consistency in delivery and improving competency of the everyone working in the building standards profession.

Planned activity

The review of the pre-emptive building standards system and the safeguards in place when verifiers take responsibility for achieving compliance with building regulations for their own local authority building projects will check and assess the rigour applied to maintaining impartiality and accountability to the public. The review will conclude in October 2026.