England building safety funding to train inspectors and fire engineers

by Featured NewsFire EngineeringSafety

Building safety funding for workforce gaps

A £70 million funding package has been announced to address shortages in building safety professions and support the delivery of 1.5 million homes.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Samantha Dixon MBE MP published the announcement on 26 March 2026.

The funding is set to increase the number of Registered Building Inspectors (RBIs) by up to 700, including inspectors at Class 3H level who can inspect High-Risk Buildings.

It also includes funding to increase the number of fire engineers and expand the availability of Fire Engineering education.

The announcement states that shortages in building control and fire engineering are limiting housing supply and were highlighted as an area of concern in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

The three-year programme responds to recommendations from the House of Lords regulatory committee for the government to increase capacity in building control and fire engineering.

It also follows points raised by the Fire Engineers Advisory Panel and responses to the Building Control Independent Panel’s call for evidence on the need for suitably qualified and trained professionals.

How the funding will be allocated

The funding is split between Building Control, which will receive £55 million, and Fire Engineering, which will receive £15 million.

For Building Control, the funding will support local authorities’ building control teams in England to recruit new RBIs and train them to the required Class 2 standard.

It will also support local authorities’ building control teams in England to upskill existing RBIs, with many trained to the standard required to inspect High-Risk Buildings at Class 3H.

Further funding is intended for the training of new entrants in Registered Building Control Approvers and local authorities.

For Fire Engineering, the funding will support higher education provision through postgraduate bursaries as well as research and academic development.

Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Democracy Samantha Dixon said: “We’re boosting the building safety workforce to get more skilled building inspectors and fire engineers into the system quickly to keep people safe and unlock the new homes this country needs.

“This is a vital step in building 1.5 million safe homes and ensuring we continue to deliver on lessons from the Grenfell Tower tragedy.”

The mechanisms for applying for the funds are under development and more information will be published in the coming months.

Consultation opens on mandatory certification for fire risk assessors in UK

by Featured NewsIndustry Comment

Fire risk assessors certification consultation opens

The UK government has launched a consultation on mandatory certification for fire risk assessors, with proposals linked to its response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy and scheduled to run for 12 weeks.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Samantha Dixon MBE MP announced the consultation in material published on 26 March 2026.

The consultation is described as part of the government’s commitment to introduce mandatory certification for fire risk assessors.

It is also framed as a step toward delivering Recommendation 26 of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s Phase 2 report.

The material states that Responsible Persons, usually the owner or landlord, can currently carry out their own fire risk assessments or appoint a fire risk assessor to assist them.

It adds that the consultation is looking at stronger standards and at making sure those carrying out assessments have the competencies and capabilities required.

What the consultation covers

The consultation seeks views on defining the role of fire risk assessors and their protected assistance duties, the Responsible Person’s ability to conduct their own assessments, competency frameworks and standards, career pathways, and regulatory powers for implementation.

Samantha Dixon MBE MP, Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Democracy, said: “Fire risk assessors play a vital role keeping our communities safe from fires.

“I would strongly encourage you to respond to this consultation, to help us introduce the right measures to make sure we have consistent competency across the profession.”

The proposals also include apprenticeships and a proficient workers scheme.

The consultation launched on 26 March and will close on 18 June.

Responses can be submitted until 18 June.

London Fire Brigade Commissioner sets 2026 priorities in New Year message

by Featured NewsSafetyWildland Fire

London Fire Brigade details 2026 plans for London buildings and evacuation strategies

London Fire Brigade Commissioner Jonathan Smith has issued a New Year message setting out operational priorities for 2026, published on 01/01/2026.

Smith’s statement reflects on events during 2025, outlines current risk areas and describes planned work through 2026.

He also marked 2026 as the 160th year since the Brigade was founded.

Fatalities recalled after Bicester fire

Smith referenced the deaths of London Fire Brigade Leading Firefighter Martyn Sadler, firefighter Jennie Logan and member of the public Dave Chester at a warehouse fire in Bicester, Oxfordshire.

He said the Brigade’s thoughts remained with their families and friends.

Jonathan Smith, London Fire Brigade Commissioner, said: “As we enter the new year, I’d like to thank our firefighters, control officers and staff for their service, working hard to keep London safe every day, particularly those who have worked throughout the Christmas period taking time away from their families.

“The UK Fire and Rescue Service had a challenging year in 2025, as we experienced the tragic loss of our London Fire Brigade colleague Leading Firefighter Martyn Sadler, alongside fellow firefighter Jennie Logan, and member of the public, Dave Chester, at a warehouse fire in Bicester, Oxfordshire.

“Our thoughts remain with their families and friends.”

Terror threat training and civil defence role

Smith said the Brigade completed the rollout of its Marauding Terrorist Attack response capability early in 2025.

He described the training as enabling the Brigade to deploy rescue capability alongside police and ambulance service partners in high threat incidents.

Smith said the message referenced an attack at a synagogue in Manchester and other international incidents as reminders to be prepared for similar threats in London.

Wildfires, specialist vehicles and land management

Smith said the Brigade experienced the highest number of wildfires since the extreme heatwaves of 2022 during summer 2025.

He said a trial of four Wildfire Vehicles showed the benefit specialist vehicles can make when responding across outer London.

Smith said the Brigade has now purchased those vehicles.

He said the Brigade will keep exploring new vehicles, equipment and tactics ahead of summer 2026.

He also said the Brigade would continue working with local authorities across the capital on firebreaks and land management practices intended to reduce wildfire impact.

Lithium battery risk and built environment concerns

Smith said lithium batteries remained one of the fastest growing fire risks in London.

He said the Brigade has worked with the Government and advised on regulation of unsafe, poor quality or non-compliant lithium battery products sold on online marketplaces.

Smith said work in 2026 would include the Brigade’s #ChargeSafe campaign and efforts to identify risks posed by new and emerging technologies.

He also said more than 1,500 buildings in London still had a changed evacuation strategy due to fire safety concerns.

Grenfell recommendations and service improvements

Smith said the Brigade would remain focused during 2026 on improving and delivering a service fit for purpose for a modern global city.

He said this would include making improvements identified in recommendations from Phase 2 of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry targeted at both London Fire Brigade and fire and rescue services more widely.