On 26th February 2025, the Government published its response to the Grenfell Inquiry’s Phase 2 report published on 4th September 2024.
The Government has accepted 49 of the 58 recommendations in full. Regarding the remaining 9 recommendations, the Government accepts them in principle and the response document sets out how they will be implemented. Significant progress has been made to improve the safety of buildings since the tragedy of the Grenfell fire on 14th June 2017. The Government’s response builds on this work but also seeks to go further where needed. Click here to read the full report.
A green paper on construction products reform has also been published. It sets out a range of proposals for construction products reform, including proposals that address the Inquiry‘s recommendations. The green paper also serves as the Government’s response to the Independent Review of Product Testing and Certification. The publication of this green paper marks the start of a formal consultation; there are 58 consultation questions and 8 ‘About You’ questions. The opportunity to give feedback is open until 21st May 2025.
The MHCLG Research into construction product standards and testing was also published on 26th February 2025 and further information can be accessed here.
To set out his ambition for reform of construction products, Minister for Local Growth and Building Safety Alex Norris MP will be joining a webinar hosted in collaboration with the CPA on Thursday 3rd April at 14:30. The event will be hosted on MS Teams. To register for the webinar, please complete this form. A recording and summary of the webinar will be made available. If you have any questions about the green paper, consultation, or the webinar please email constructionproducts@communities.gov.uk.
Mark Reynolds, Co-Chair of the Construction Leadership Council and Executive Chair of Mace, said: “We welcome the publication of the Government’s response to the Grenfell Inquiry’s Phase 2 Report. The Inquiry’s report stated that the tragedy was a result of years of failings from the state and industry, of deregulation, and of poor practice in the construction sector. In our view, the implementation of the recommendations, as set out by the Deputy Prime Minister, will result in safer homes and buildings for those who live and work in them and improve the quality of both the work done by the construction industry, as well as the competence of those working in it.
“The Inquiry also highlighted widespread failures by manufacturers, the construction products sector and the institutions that should have been responsible for ensuring high standards and assurance of the system. It is incumbent on us all to fully engage with and respond to the proposals for reform set out in the Construction Products Reform Green Paper published alongside the Government’s response.
“There has been significant progress on building safety made since the Grenfell fire in June 2017, delivered through ongoing collaboration between Government and industry – but we are well aware that there is more we can and must do.
“There must be continued collective responsibility to drive a meaningful and permanent cultural change and enhance the levels of competence in the construction sector. We will continue to work closely with the Government, regulators, industry bodies and businesses to enable the implementation of these further reforms without undue disruption to the vital work of our industry across the country.”
The Construction Products Association (CPA) welcomes the Government’s publishing of the Construction Products Reform Green Paper – stating “its ambition, clarity and direction of travel for the construction products sector has been long awaited.
“As with the two independent reviews overseen by Dame Judith Hackitt and Morrell/Day, we will work with our members and wider industry to provide our full support and response during the Green Paper’s consultation. We are already pleased to note in the Paper the recognition and support from Government for our work in developing the Code for Construction Product Information as a positive industry initiative to raise standards in product information and marketing.
“The Government’s response and the Green Paper mark another key milestone in a continuing series of reforms to our industry’s culture and practices. The CPA remains committed to learning from this tragedy and helping drive meaningful change, particularly toward eliminating unsafe practices and ensuring that safety and accountability become non-negotiable priorities in the industry.”
