Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations: progress update - June 2026

Theme - Design competence

Recommendation 15 - Fire Engineering Professional Recognition

Reserved area – Yes

Delivery – Reserved matter

Target date – 31/12/2029

Activity since last update

Fire Engineers Advisory Panel Authoritative statement published 17 December 2025 by the UK Government.

An Authoritative statement on the future of fire engineering was published 17 December 2025 on the expected skills and knowledge of a competent fire engineer. An accompanying next steps statement setting out the UK Government’s planned approach to recommendations 15, 16 and 18 was also published by the UK Government at this time.

Planned activity

A public consultation on the details of regulation and implementation is still planned to take place in 2026.

Further information - Fire Engineers Advisory Panel: Authoritative Statement - GOV.UK and Next steps on fire engineering profession reform - GOV.UK

Recommendation 16 - Expansion of Accredited Fire Engineering Masters Programmes Initiative

Reserved area – Yes

Delivery – Reserved matter

Target date – 31/12/2027

Activity since last update

In March 2026, the UK Government announced that £15 million would be available to take forward the next steps on fire engineering profession reform. This includes consideration of support for:

• the development of courses in fire engineering
• providing bursaries
• supporting research and academic capacity

Planned activity

The UK Government are continuing seeking advice on expanding current higher education provision, including whether a consortium approach may help provide high-quality, accredited courses.

Recommendation 17 - Fire Engineering Competency Standards Development

Reserved area – Yes

Delivery – Reserved matter

Target date – Complete

Activity since last update

Officials from the Scottish Government's Building Standards Division and Fire and Rescue Unit were observers on the UK Government’s Fire Engineers Advisory Panel. An Authoritative statement on the future of fire engineering was published 17 December 2025 on the expected skills and knowledge of a competent fire engineer. An accompanying next steps statement setting out the UK Governments planned approach to recommendations 15, 16 and 18 was also published by the UK Government at this time.

This recommendation is complete and has been fully discharged.

Further information - Fire Engineers Advisory Panel: Authoritative Statement - GOV.UK and Next steps on fire engineering profession reform - GOV.UK

Recommendation 18 - Fire Engineering CPD Programme Development

Reserved area – Yes

Delivery – Reserved matter

Target date – 31/12/2027

Activity since last update

In March 2026, the UK Government announced that £15 million would be available to take forward the next steps on fire engineering profession reform. This includes consideration of support for:

• the development of courses in fire engineering
• providing bursaries
• supporting research and academic capacity

Planned activity

The UK Government is continuing to consider targeted funding to support course development, including transitional training for existing fire engineers.

Further information - Fire Engineers Advisory Panel: Authoritative Statement - GOV.UK and Next steps on fire engineering profession reform - GOV.UK

Recommendation 19 - Architecture Education Changes Review

Reserved area – Yes

Delivery – Reserved matter

Target date – Complete

Activity since last update

Architects Registration Board (ARB) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) have taken steps since the Grenfell Tower fire to improve the education and training of UK registered architects. The UK Government published an update on activity related to the recommendation in May 2026.

As this is a reserved matter, the Scottish Government considers this recommendation closed for its specific actions.

Planned activity

UK Government activity is planned across 2026. Scottish Government officials continue to liaise routinely with the UK Government to represent Scottish interests on architect competence.