The Government has published a series of updates on building safety reform, including its response to the consultation on the proposed Single Construction Regulator (SCR), changes to remediation support, and plans to improve proportionality within the building control regime.
The announcements form part of wider efforts to create a more effective, joined-up regulatory system for the built environment and improve safety outcomes for residents and building users.
Single Construction Regulator to be built on foundations of the Building Safety Regulator
The Government has confirmed its commitment to establishing a Single Construction Regulator, with the new body set to be developed from the foundations of the existing Building Safety Regulator (BSR), rather than created as an entirely new organisation.
The proposed regulator will bring together the regulation of buildings, construction products and built environment professions into a more coherent system. The Government says the aim is to create a regulatory framework that is easier to navigate, more accountable and focused on achieving better outcomes.
CIBSE welcomed the publication of the consultation response, which reflects many of the issues raised through the Institution’s own response, informed by feedback from its members.
The Government has confirmed that the regulator’s primary objective will remain securing the safety of people in buildings, while improving the standard and performance of buildings and the wider built environment.
The response also highlights the importance of professional competence, skills, behaviours and accountability across the sector. The Government will continue developing its wider strategy for built environment professionals, including through its ongoing call for evidence on competence and regulation.
A key theme within the consultation response is the move towards a more digital-first regulatory system. The Government has acknowledged concerns around fragmented digital systems, inconsistent product information and duplicated reporting requirements, and has committed to exploring improvements.
Implementation of the Single Construction Regulator will be phased and will require new primary legislation. The Government has also emphasised that regulatory reform alone will not deliver the cultural change needed across the industry, with professional institutions, practitioners and other stakeholders expected to play an active role.
Changes to remediation support
The Government has announced changes to the Cladding Safety Scheme, allowing applications to be prioritised according to risk to life rather than solely by building height.
The change aims to ensure that buildings presenting the highest risks are prioritised for remediation.
Additional targeted funding will also be made available to support the remediation of unsafe cladding on a small number of multi-occupancy residential buildings below 11 metres in England. The funding will be delivered through an extension of the Cladding Safety Scheme and administered by Homes England, with applications expected to open in August.
Alongside these announcements, the Government has published findings from its Remediation Programme Insurance Survey, which identified that some leaseholders continue to face high insurance costs despite progress in addressing building safety issues.
The Financial Conduct Authority will work with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and HM Treasury on a focused review of the multi-occupancy buildings insurance market.
More proportionate approach to higher-risk building work
The Government has confirmed plans to simplify the building control regime for work on existing higher-risk buildings by introducing a more proportionate approach to the categorisation of Category A and Category B works.
The changes aim to maintain robust safety standards while reducing unnecessary administrative burdens for lower-risk projects, allowing regulators to focus resources on the most complex and safety-critical work.
For building services professionals, the changes could help streamline approval processes for routine building services work in higher-risk buildings, while ensuring appropriate scrutiny remains in place where work could affect fire or structural safety.
The Government has also committed to providing clearer guidance, exploring a greater role for Competent Person Schemes for some lower-risk work, and continuing to review how the higher-risk building regime operates.
Revised approach to Building Assessment Certificates
The Government has also outlined plans for a more risk-based approach to managing occupied higher-risk buildings through the Building Assessment Certificate process.
The proposed changes aim to provide greater support for principal accountable persons, particularly resident-led organisations and those managing complex cases, while ensuring the safety requirements established through the Building Safety Act remain unchanged.
Accountable persons will continue to be responsible for managing their buildings effectively and taking all reasonable steps to protect residents from fire spread and structural failure.
CIBSE’s role in building safety reform
CIBSE will continue to engage with Government and industry partners as these reforms develop, ensuring that the views and expertise of building professionals help shape a safer, higher-performing built environment.
The Institution will continue supporting members through technical guidance, professional development and engagement on the evolving regulatory landscape.