The UK Government has launched a major new call for evidence to inform a long-term strategy for the built environment professions, trades and occupations, with publication of the final strategy planned for Spring 2027. The exercise is being led by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and forms part of the Government’s wider programme of post-Grenfell regulatory and cultural reform across the built environment sector via the Single Construction Regulator Prospectus.
The call for evidence is broad in scope, covering the entire building lifecycle – from pre-design and specification through to construction, occupation and maintenance. It seeks views on skills, competence, organisational capability, professional behaviours, accountability, regulation and culture across the sector.
This is highly relevant to CIBSE and the building services profession. Building services engineers play a critical role in delivering safe, healthy, energy efficient and sustainable buildings, and many of the themes within the call for evidence align closely with CIBSE’s ongoing work on competence, professional standards, building safety, net zero, digital engineering and lifecycle building performance.
The call for evidence also reflects growing Government interest in how professional institutions, regulators, employers and industry bodies collectively support competence and accountability across the sector. Questions relating to continuing professional development, organisational capability, multidisciplinary working, maintenance and operational performance are all areas where CIBSE members have direct expertise and practical insight to contribute.
Importantly, the exercise is not limited to higher-risk buildings or building safety in isolation. The Government describes its ambition as creating a built environment system that is “safe, high-performing and sustainable”, while also supporting productivity, trust and better outcomes for building users.
CIBSE will be engaging with the call for evidence and is keen to hear from members working across all parts of the building lifecycle. Members are encouraged to review the call for evidence document and share their views, experiences and evidence with CIBSE to help inform the Institution’s response and wider policy engagement work.
Responses should be sent to the Technical Team by no later than 17 July.
Read the Government call for evidence: Strategy for the built environment professions, trades and occupations – call for evidence
Contact CIBSE Technical Team: [email protected]