Image: House of Lords / Roger Harris
The government is pressing ahead with plans to overhaul building safety regulations in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster, the Queen’s Speech confirmed yesterday.
Addressing parliament, the Queen said: “My ministers will…bring forward laws to implement new building safety standards.”
The government launched a consultation on its proposals for what it called a “radically new building and fire safety system” under the then-housing secretary James Brokenshire in June.
It published a 192-page document building on Dame Judith Hackitt’s independent review of Building Regulations and fire safety and proposed a new regulatory framework applying to all multi-occupied buildings of 18m (six storeys) or more, including the creation of a new building safety regulator. A consultation on the document closed in July.
The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) CEO David Frise said welcomed the news. He said: ‘If done right and in close consultation with the industry, the proposed new building regulation regime could cement a better culture of competence and compliance within the industry, and crucially, save lives.’
Brian Berry, chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), added that the plans were an important step but called for the government to go further and introduce a mandatory licensing scheme for all construction firms. He said: “The Queen’s announcement that the government will bring forward new rigorous laws forcing compliance with building safety standards is an important and essential step in improving safety and confidence in our built environment. After the Grenfell fire tragedy it’s essential that we raise the bar in construction.
“However, the government must go further still and publicly consult on a mandatory licensing scheme for all UK construction companies. This would serve to remove from the industry any firm that ignores health and safety procedure and risks safety in and around the built environment. Licensing would also remove rogue traders that bring the image of builders into disrepute, whether they are operating in the private domestic sector or in the supply chain on a large commercial site. We now await further details on this bill and whether it will have the teeth it needs to improve the construction sector.”
Meanwhile Douglas Barnett, director of mid market and customer risk management at insurer AXA said: "AXA welcomes the government’s focus on building safety standards in the Queen’s Speech today as it could bring significant and needed safety improvements. For too long there has been inconsistency in this area and we hope that this legislation will be made a priority so people can feel safe in their homes. As the government works on the details of this new law, we hope ministers will consider the proposals we’ve submitted in the recent consultation on building safety regulations. Fire risk assessors should hold appropriate third-party certification. Future safety regulations should apply to residential buildings of 18 metres or more (and not just from 30 metres), as well as any building housing vulnerable people. Communication with residents should be free of jargon. And implementation of safety measures should be enforced across the entire life span of buildings".
The Queen’s Speech also signalled the government’s plan for a new National Infrastructure Strategy to set out a long-term vision to improve the nation’s digital, transport and energy infrastructure. But there was little mention in the Queen’s Speech of any other initiatives or plans affecting the construction industry such as HS2 or housebuilding.
Frise also lamented a lack of comment on the issue of late payment in the supply chain. He said: “The Queen’s Speech was disappointingly silent on one of the most important issues for SMEs in the construction industry – ending late payment and the abuse of retentions money responsible for devastating upstream insolvencies, like those seen after the Carillion collapse.”
