Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations: progress update - March 2026

Theme - Resilience and Local Authorities

Recommendation 42 - Civil Contingencies Act Powers Review

Reserved area – Yes

Delivery – Reserved matter

Target date – Spring 2027

Activity since last update

This is a reserved matter. The UK Government has a statutory duty to review the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (CCA) on a five-yearly cycle, with the most recent post-implementation review published in 2022. This recommendation will be addressed in the 2027 post-implementation review.

Planned activity

No activity expected in next quarter.

Recommendation 43 - Community Organisation Emergency Partnership

Reserved area – Yes

Delivery – Reserved matter

Target date – Spring 2027

Activity since last update

The UK Government have conducted a consultation (‘Strengthening Partnerships Consultation’) which was published on 16 December 2025. The Scottish Government has considered the implications of the consultation which will also be considered as part of the UK Government review of the Civil Contingencies Act. The Scottish Government will fully engage with that review and would expect to be consulted on any proposed changes to the CCA.

Planned activity

No activity expected in next quarter.

Recommendation 44 - Emergency Response Guidance Consolidation

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Guidance

Target date – Spring 2027

Activity since last update

As set out in the Scottish Government’s response to the UK COVID Inquiry Module 1 Report, the Scottish Government recognises the vital role of multi-agency partnerships in supporting vulnerable people and is committed to putting measures in place to enable support to reach vulnerable people during civil emergencies. The Scottish Government actively supports partners in the maintenance of tools to support the swift identification of, and support to, those most at risk during an incident.

In addition, as part of its response, the Scottish Government will report on progress on a human-rights based assessment of the Pandemic ScotOps and Public Health and Social Measures through the published Equality and Human Rights Mainstreaming Action Plan. We will also establish a governance framework to underpin the delivery of the Mainstreaming Action Plan which will be published in Summer 2026.

Planned activity

The Scottish Government will integrate the Cabinet Office’s new Vulnerable People guidance into the updated approach to civil contingencies risk assessment in Scotland, working with practitioners to better consider vulnerability in their emergency planning. The updated approach will be launched in autumn 2027.

Recommendation 45 - Humanitarian Principle Integration Project

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Guidance

Target date – Spring 2027

Activity since last update

The Scottish Government does not use the 8 principles of response.

The ‘Preparing Scotland’ guidance for responders has a dedicated spoke for ‘Care for People Affected by Emergencies’. It contains guidance on establishing a care for people team, co-ordinating the response, delivering care for people over an extended time frame, suggested tasks and activities and communications and media guidance.

Planned activity

We will continue to explore feasible approaches to delivering this recommendation.

Civil contingencies division will consider whether plans developed for pandemics are applicable for wider whole-system emergencies.

Recommendation 46 - London Gold Arrangements Training Programme

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Guidance

Target date – Spring 2027

Activity since last update

The Scottish Multi-Agency Resilience Training and Exercising Unit (SMARTEU) have developed the Multi-Agency Strategic Incident Management (MASIM) course. The Scottish Government has assisted by allowing a separate MASIM area on the Learning Hub so that modules there can be used as the foundation of the course for Category 1 Responders.

The first MASIM course was delivered between January and March 2025. The Scottish Government had an input as part of the development group, as well as attending and contributing to the in-person sessions.

Planned activity

No activity expected in next quarter.

Recommendation 47 - Emergency Response Standards and Audit System

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Guidance

Target date – Spring 2027

Activity since last update

The Scottish Government have raised this recommendation through the new multiagency Scottish Civil Contingencies Development Forum for consideration and feedback.

Work is progressing on the development of a dedicated Scottish Resilience Strategy. The Scottish Government will assess the UK Government’s Resilience Strategy’s applicability in Scotland to minimise duplication.

Planned activity

We will continue to explore feasible approaches to delivering this recommendation.

Recommendation 48 - Category 1 Responder Training Verification System

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Guidance

Target date – Spring 2027

Activity since last update

The Scottish Government have completed consultation with Category 1 responders on learning and training needs and has adapted training offers based on these responses. The Scottish Govenrment has also launched a ‘Training and Exercise’ (T&E) calendar for Scotland which will record (if notified) all training and exercising activity.

Planned activity

We will continue to review engagement levels with T&E calendar.

The Scottish Government are linking with the UK Government on the launch of their Exercise Tracker to ensure that both systems are aligned and complementary.

Recommendation 49 - Local Authority Resilience Training Programme

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Guidance

Target date – Spring 2027

Activity since last update

The Scottish Government have completed consultation with Category 1 responders on learning and training needs and have adapted training offers based on these responses.

Planned activity

Local Authorities are responsible for ensuring their staff are appropriately trained, however the Scottish Government will continue to support including through our T&E Calendar.

Recommendation 50 - Emergency Displacement Information System

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Guidance

Target date – Spring 2027

Activity since last update

Work to develop a training awareness package has been developed by East of Scotland Regional Resilience Partnership members and will be taken to the National Care for People group for wider awareness once that group is established.

Planned activity

We will continue to explore feasible approaches to delivering this recommendation.

Recommendation 51 - Emergency Accommodation Protocol Development

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Guidance

Target date – Spring 2027

Activity since last update

No update at this time.

Planned activity

We will continue to explore feasible approaches to delivering this recommendation.

Recommendation 52 - Emergency Financial Assistance Framework

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Guidance

Target date – Spring 2027

Activity since last update

No update at this time.

Planned activity

We will continue to explore feasible approaches to delivering this recommendation.

Recommendation 53 - Key Worker Emergency Role Planning Framework

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Guidance

Target date – Spring 2027

Activity since last update

No update at this time.

Planned activity

We will continue to explore feasible approaches to delivering this recommendation.

Recommendation 54 - Emergency Communication Strategy Development

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Guidance

Target date – Spring 2027

Activity since last update

The Scottish Government continues to take advantage of a range of communication tools and works with local authorities and broader resilience partners to strengthen the approach, as demonstrated throughout recent severe weather events.

Planned activity

We will continue to explore feasible approaches to delivering this recommendation.

Recommendation 55 - Public Information Modernisation Plan

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Guidance

Target date – Spring 2027

Activity since last update

No update at this time.

Planned activity

We will continue to explore feasible approaches to delivering this recommendation.

Recommendation 56 - Renaming Police 'Casualty Bureau' to Accurately Reflect its Function

Reserved area – No

Delivery – Guidance

Target date – Complete

Activity since last update

Closed for Scottish Government interests.

Planned activity

Closed for Scottish Government interests.