HCLG Committee reiterates call for independent national oversight mechanism

On 14 May, the HCLG Committee published correspondence with a series of findings and recommendations following its short inquiry focused on Grenfell and building safety issues. The HCLG Committee has now received the Government’s response to that inquiry process. 

The latter doesn’t commit to a national oversight mechanism and includes the comment: “The Cabinet Office is leading work to consider how oversight of inquiry mechanisms can be improved more broadly.”

Held to account

Eshalomi said: “It’s crucial that Government is properly held to account for implementing the recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and disappointing that the Government has yet to commit to introducing an independent mechanism which would apply to the implementation of the recommendations of all public inquiries.”

Further, Eshalomi noted: “The Government should do the right thing and introduce this independent mechanism, which will help to reduce the risk of future Governments repeating the catastrophic mistakes which have seen so many lose their lives in tragedies from Hillsborough to the infected blood scandal through to the Grenfell Tower fire itself.”

In addition, Eshalomi observed: “Too often, residents living in social housing have had their concerns dismissed, neglected and ignored. It’s vitally important that social housing providers ensure residents’ concerns are treated respectfully and that the conditions of their homes are addressed.”

Building Control

The Government has rejected the Committee’s call for the independent panel on the future of Building Control to be placed on a statutory footing.

On that note, the Government has stated: “We do not agree that it would be appropriate to place the panel on a statutory footing as it has been asked to independently consider the questions in the Inquiry on ‘whether’ to change the Building Control system in England, with the Government then considering any recommendations. With the risk of delays while identifying and implementing appropriate statutory mechanisms, the urgency of the work outweighed the potential benefits of a statutory approach. Establishing the panel quickly has enabled it to begin its consideration of the Inquiry’s questions and a panel report will be published before the end of the year. The Government will respond in early 2026, as it committed to do so in its response to the Grenfell Inquiry.”

Sprinklers in care homes

Despite concerns raised by the Committee, the Government has said that it has no plans to extend the provision for the installation of sprinkler systems in existing care homes.

The Government has commented: “This is because there are existing duties on ‘Responsible Persons’ – including building owners and the operators of care homes – through the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order) 2005 to demonstrate how they are managing fire safety in their buildings. The Government considers this approach proportionate.”

The Committee’s original correspondence outlined recommendations to Government on areas including engagement with Grenfell residents, capacity in the Building Control sector, the work of the Building Safety Regulator and delays in sign-off on the safety of buildings, Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans, the Building Safety Levy and on Fire and Rescue Services.