Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations: progress update - June 2026

Theme - Fire safety and Firefighting

Recommendation 26 - Mandatory Fire Risk Assessor Accreditation

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Primary legislation (Scottish Parliament)

Target date – 30/09/2028

Activity since last update

Scottish Government Ministers are supportive of relevant legislation to ensure that fire risk assessors will have their competence independently verified by an accredited certification body with work continuing to identify relevant next steps and timetable.

Planned activity

Work will begin in early course to identify next steps regarding engagement and consultation of this work.

The Scottish Government continues to work closely with the UK Government and other devolved nations to ensure we are as all aligned as possible to support the development of this work.

Recommendation 29 - National Fire College Establishment

Reserved area – Mixed

Delivery – Legislation (UK Parliament)

Target date – 30/09/2028

Activity since last update

UK Government launched a public consultation on 20 May on the most appropriate functions for the college to fulfil and how it could best be structured and delivered, including consideration of all the functions recommended by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. The consultation will close on 15 July 2026.

The establishment of a College of Fire would require UK Government legislation. No separate legislation would be required in Scotland.

Planned activity

The Scottish Government will continue to engage directly with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on which aspects of the College of Fire could be applicable to Scotland.

Recommendation 30 – Fire College Staffing and Facilities Plan

Update as for Recommendation 29.

Recommendation 31 - LFB Control Room Inspection Programme

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Inspection

Target date – 31/08/2027

Planned activity

His Majesty’s Fire Service Inspectorate in Scotland (HMFSI) had planned to carry out a review of operations control rooms in Scotland and included this in its annual operating plan for 2026/27. Following discussion with the SFRS, and considering work ongoing to upgrade their mobilising systems, the Chief Inspector agreed to postpone the commencement of this inspection to January 2027. The inspection is expected to conclude in August 2027.

Recommendation 32 – London Fire Brigade (LFB) Incident Commander Assessment Review

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Inspection

Target date – 30/06/2026

Activity since last update

Fieldwork related to this thematic inspection has been carried out. The report is on track to be published in June 2026.

Planned activity

HMFSI has concluded all fieldwork relevant to its Thematic Inspection of Operational Training and Development arrangements within the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). Following consultation with relevant stakeholders, the report will be laid in Parliament in June 2026.

Recommendation 33 - LFB High Risk Building Information Management

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Inspection

Target date – 31/08/2026

Activity since last update

The Inspectorate continues to review actions taken by SFRS following the publication of the HMFSI report: Arrangements for Firefighting in High Rise Buildings 2022.

Planned activity

The SFRS Action Plan, published in response to recommendations made in the HMFSI report: Arrangements for Firefighting in High Rise Buildings 2022, has now been closed. The SFRS has taken action it considers appropriate regarding each of the recommendations. The Chief Inspector has initiated a review of actions taken to satisfy himself that this is in line with the original intent of the recommendations. This review will conclude over the summer of 2026.

Recommendation 34 - LFB Lessons Learned Implementation System

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Guidance

Target date – 30/09/2028

Activity since last update

HMFSI have undertaken an inspection of the Services Operational Assurance and Learning processes, and an associated action plan has been approved by Head of Function and Director which has been submitted to the SFRS Strategic Leadership Team. HMFSI provided positive feedback around the Services Organisational Learning Group and arrangements for progressing lessons learned and the associated governance. Terms Of Reference are being updated to better reflect membership of this group.

Planned activity

The Group will meet in the next quarter to discuss current issues and learning opportunities. A further update will be provided as part of the next progress report.

Recommendations 35-39 and 41

• Breathing Apparatus Radio Power Review
• Digital Radio Implementation Assessment
• Communication Loss Response Training
• Water Supply System Training Programme
• Water Undertaker Communication Protocol
• Firefighter Initiative Guidelines Review

As noted in the previous progress update, these recommendations are considered as complete.

Recommendation 57 - Phase 1 Recommendations Reassessment

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Guidance

Target date – 30/09/2028

Activity since last update

The Scottish Law Commission has provided its report to the Scottish Government on the potential for introducing mandatory owners' associations. This report is being considered by Scottish Government officials. As this work continues, policy officials will consider whether compulsory owners’ associations may be a route to ensure that those who are unable to self-evacuate must have a person-centred risk assessment in place.

Planned activity

Scottish Government officials continue to consider the Scottish Law Commission’s report on the potential for introducing mandatory owners’ associations.

Recommendation 58 – Local Government Association (LGA) Guide Paragraph 79.11 Review

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Guidance

Target date – 30/09/2028

Update as for Recommendation 57.