Peers approve funding for Grenfell Tower archive and preservation works

by Featured NewsSafety

Legislation authorises funding for Grenfell memorial

The House of Lords has passed the Grenfell Tower Memorial (Expenditure) Bill to provide statutory authority for the construction and long-term management of a permanent memorial at the tower site.

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Baroness Taylor of Stevenage introduced the legislation to ensure expenditure aligns with public spending rules.

The Bill authorises government funding for a permanent memorial together with a physical and digital archive and a site to lay tower elements to rest.

It also covers costs for land acquisition and preservation works required at the location.

Baroness Taylor explained: “The legislation has a focused purpose and exists to provide the statutory authority needed to support the construction and long-term care of a Grenfell Tower memorial and related activities.”

“The Bill is intended to support the memorial process, not replace or override the role of bereaved families, survivors and the community in shaping it.”

Construction of the memorial is expected to begin in mid-2027 following the work of the independent Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission.

Community engagement and site preservation

Design work for the project is currently under way following a selection process involving bereaved families and members of the local community.

The Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission published the Remembering Grenfell report in November 2023 to outline a shared vision for the site.

Opening the debate, Baroness Taylor described the fire as an avoidable tragedy that claimed 72 lives.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook, speaking for the Opposition, stated the legislation represents an essential step for those affected by the fire.

Work to carefully take down the tower is progressing and is scheduled for completion in 2027.

Certain elements of the structure will be preserved in a specific area following requests from the community.

Accountability and future safety recommendations

The legislation is limited to funding and does not settle questions regarding planning decisions or ownership arrangements.

Baroness Taylor noted that families and survivors have waited too long for justice.

She stated the Government remains committed to implementing the recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

The Metropolitan Police investigation into the fire continues as one of the largest operations undertaken by the force.

Baroness Warwick of Undercliffe noted the memorial should serve as a reminder of actions that must not be repeated.

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.

PRP lands government fire safety work for care homes

by PassiveProjects

PRP has been appointed by the government to carry out research on fire safety regulations in care homes and specialist housing.

Under the contract with the Ministry of Housing (MHCLG), PRP will also review current provisions in Approved Document B (ADB) and propose alternative design options to inform future policy decisions.

The practice will review current design approaches, including evacuation strategies, at specialised housing and care homes, identify gaps in existing fire safety guidance and assess risks, costs and benefits of alternative design options.

The team will also conduct an international review of regulatory and design approaches to inform potential alternative design approaches.

The appointment comes after embattled housing secretary Robert Jenrick’s publication earlier this year of advice for building owners in an attempt to ensure all multi-occupancy residential buildings are safe.

PRP partner and Building Design regs columnist Andrew Mellor said: “A lot of progress has been made in fire-safety regulations since the Grenfell Tower fire, but a lot more still needs to be done, especially when it comes to care homes and specialist housing. We look forward to working with the wider industry in delivering this key piece of research that will ensure the safety of older people and their families across the UK.”

As part of the research, which is expected to be completed at the end of 2021, PRP’s development consultancy and later-living teams will work with the wider industry, academia, government bodies, the fire service and interest groups to gather data and expertise on fire safety.

PRP partner Jenny Buterchi said: “This is a unique opportunity for us to combine our development consultancy’s in-depth experience on fire safety with our later-living team’s unrivalled experience in the design of specialist housing and care-homes and through our regular work with the APPG on older people’s housing.”

PRP is already technical advisor to MHCLG on building safety analytical work.