Government cracks down on unsafe and unregulated building products

The Construction Products Reform White Paper sets out that all products must be properly assessed before being used in the building process. Currently, only around one-third of constructions products are regulated. The new general safety requirement will mean that all products undergo the proper checks, not only keeping people safe in their homes, but also boosting the economy and providing confidence to developers to build the 1.5 million homes outlined by the Government as being desperately needed.

The Government has published a consultation on this requirement, with secondary legislation expected later this year and all changes coming in as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

The proposals come as the Government publishes the first Annual Report on the implementation of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations, which sets out that 12 recommendations (including bringing Government fire safety functions under the control of one department and Secretary of State) have been completed. Over 40 (70%) of the recommendations are also expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry, which delivered its final report in September 2024, set out 58 recommendations, of which 37 were directed at the Government and 21 at other bodies and institutions.

The Government has also introduced the Grenfell Tower Memorial (Expenditure) Bill, providing the appropriate spending authority to support the creation and long-term management of a fitting and lasting memorial, a second site where the Grenfell Tower will be laid to rest and an archive and permanent exhibition.

Making progress

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said: “The Grenfell Tower fire was a tragedy that must never be repeated. Everyone should feel safe in their home. We are making progress on implementing the Inquiry’s recommendations, but there’s more to do as we continue to learn and act on the mistakes of the past.”

Samantha Dixon (Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Democracy) stated: “We will never forget the tragedy of Grenfell and will continue working with the local community, industry and local authorities to deliver safer homes and lasting change. The failings outlined by the Inquiry Panel exposed fundamental issues in product, building and fire safety standards. Through the Construction Products White Paper, and our work to implement all of the recommendations of the Inquiry Panel, we will create a better system for millions of people right across the country.”

Interim chief construction advisor Thouria Istephan explained: “We must never forget the loss of 72 innocent lives and the impact the tragedy continues to have on the Grenfell community. The Government’s announcements highlight the important ongoing work to reform and improve the complex regulatory system. We must strive to continue to make lasting and progressive change that improves the safety and quality of both new and existing buildings and, crucially, place people who live and work in buildings at the very centre of our thought process.”

Key developments

Key progress and developments on wider-reform and the implementation of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations include: 

*the establishment of the independent Building Safety Regulator to ensure a consistent approach towards building regulation and enforcement (this paves the way for the creation of a single construction regulator, a key recommendation of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry) 

*strengthening of the building safety rules, including the design, construction and management of buildings 

*improvements in professional standards across construction, fire engineering, Building Control and fire risk assessment with new bodies to drive Best Practice, including specialist training for 1,200 workers across the sectors 

*greater support for residents, with more than 4,500 accessing training on how to exercise their rights and hold their landlord to account and rights information through Government-funded programmes

*the acceleration of remediation (with over 180,000 residents benefiting from remediation work having started or been completed across 2,100 buildings)

*stronger enforcement against those who put people at risk through unsafe buildings, with local regulators issuing 124% more formal notices and 140% more inspections by the end of June 2025 when compared to the period prior to departmental funding

The Metropolitan Police Service has been investigating the Grenfell Tower tragedy since June 2017. This is one of the largest and most legally complex investigations ever conducted by the force, with around 180 officers and staff dedicated to the investigation. The Government is clear that those responsible must be held to account and fully supports the Metropolitan Police Service in this important work.