Grenfell Tower Inquiry phase 2 report: Scottish Government response

Executive Summary

This report sets out the Scottish Government’s response to Grenfell Inquiry’s Phase 2 report.  On 14 June 2017, a fire broke out in Grenfell Tower, London which led to the deaths of 72 people and the loss of homes for a community.  The Chair made clear in his statement on 4 September 2024 that the 72 deaths were all avoidable. The report sets out the responsibilities and failure of the main parties, including the UK Government, the local authority, the managers of the building, the architect, contractors, manufacturers, certification and test bodies and London Fire Brigade.

Grenfell Tower underwent a refurbishment over the period 2015 to 2016. The refurbishment included new windows, a water-based heating system for individual flats and a rain screen over cladding system. The purpose of the cladding was intended to improve heating and energy efficiency, and external appearance.

The Inquiry’s report sets out a catalogue of dishonest behaviours and practices from manufacturers of cladding and insulation materials used in the refurbishment. It is clear on the failings of professionals and contractors employed to design and construct the refurbishment work and also the weakness of those involved in testing and certification of construction products. 

There are 58 recommendations made by the Inquiry that cover building regulation, British Standards, professional competence, construction product regulation, civil contingencies and fire and rescue.  It recommends that a single regulator of construction is formed with wide ranging responsibility across areas of reserved and devolved legislation. 

This report sets out the Scottish Governments response to the recommendations and how we expect to take them forward.  Forward work will be undertaken under the direction of the Ministerial Working Group on Building and Fire Safety. 

Prior to the publication of the Phase 2 Report the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice set up a new Ministerial Working Group to specifically address the Scottish Government’s response. It has been chaired by the Minister for Housing together with the Minister for Victims and Community Safety. The Ministerial Working Group included external experts and stakeholders.

The Ministerial Working Group considered the recommendations and split them into eight themes, as follows:

• Regulation and systems (6)
• Government and restructuring (2)
• Building Standards, fire tests and product certification (11)
• Design competence (5)
• Fire safety and Firefighting (15)
• Resilience and local authorities (15)
• Assorted recommendations (4).

Our Response accepts all recommendations as far as they apply in Scotland. We have set out in the report how we will address each recommendation that falls within devolved competence. We also how we will work with the UKG and other Administrations in reserved areas, chiefly construction product safety and professional competence.

The key components of the Scottish Government Response are as follows:

• Bring forward legislation, subject to appropriate consultation, to strengthen the building standards system.  Including a new role of a compliance plan manager, and changes to enforcement powers and sanctions. This builds on the work of the Building Standards Futures Board that has been leading a programme of reform and strengthening over the past five years. 
• A review of the whole of our fire safety standards and guidance will be undertaken.
• Further consult on legislative changes required to improve compliance and enforcement.
• Take further evidence on the need for, the role of and the functions of a Chief Construction Adviser.
• Formally ask the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and HM Fire Service Inspectorate in Scotland (HMFSI) to consider the recommendations relevant to their roles and to report to us. It should be noted that both SFRS and HMFSI are proactively working on these recommendations already.
• Undertake a fire safety information awareness campaign in the short-medium term (throughout 2025) across the relevant high rise building stock. This will reinforce the action residents can take to reduce the risk of fire and to support vulnerable people to take appropriate action in the event of a fire.
• Consider how to bring in the regulated requirements to carry out either a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP), a person centred risk assessment or equivalent. 
• We expect advice and recommendations to come from the Scottish Law Commission’s recommendations regarding mandatory homeowners’ associations in Spring 2026.
• Consult on the introduction of mandatory periodic fire risk assessments in specified high rise buildings to reduce the risk of fire, and to promote the long-term integrity of the system for cladding remediation in Scotland, including the Cladding Assurance Register.
• Commit to strengthening fire risk assessor competency in Scotland and the requirements for duty holders to hire a competent assessor through legislation following relevant and appropriate public consultation and legal/policy consultation.
• Work with local authorities and other category 1 responders to improve and strengthen resilience guidance, training and practice.