From inquiry to implementation: the government’s third Grenfell progress report

The government published its third progress report on 17 December 2025 tracking its implementation of the recommendations arising from the Grenfell Tower inquiry. This forms part of its commitment to provide quarterly updates with delivery of all recommendations targeted within a four year timeframe. 

Overview of the report

The report features a series of detailed policy papers covering the following areas: 

• Construction industry
• Fire and rescue services
• Response and recovery
• Vulnerable people 

From a construction perspective, there are 28 recommendations of which three are completed. This note will focus on these completed recommendations and a couple of key ‘in progress’ recommendations. 

Construction industry: completed recommendation

1. Review of definition of higher-risk building ('HRB')

A HRB is defined by the Building Safety Act 2022 and its supplementary regulations as a building that: 

• is at least 18m in height or has at least 7 storeys;
• contains at least 2 residential units; and
• does not comprise entirely of a secure residential institution, a hotel or military barracks and does not contain Ministry of Defence provided living accommodation or living accommodation for His Majesty’s Forces or for any designated visiting force, international headquarters or defence organisation.

Under Part 3 (design, construction and building work to existing HRBs), hospitals and care homes are included in the HRB regime. However, under Part 4 (in-occupation duties), they are excluded. 

The rationale behind the current definition focuses on a new and more stringent regime on buildings that pose the greatest potential consequences of fire risk. For example, evacuation is more difficult in certain buildings such as hospitals and implementation of adequate fire risk measures are significantly more complex in taller buildings. 

In response to the Phase 2 Report's recommendation, the definition of a HRB was reviewed by the Building Safety Regulator ('BSR') for the reasons below. 

… we do not think that to define a building as “higher-risk” by reference only to its height is satisfactory, being essentially arbitrary in nature. More relevant is the nature of its use and, in particular, the likely presence of vulnerable people, for whom evacuation in the event of a fire or other emergency would be likely to present difficulty. 

Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 2 Report

However, the review concluded that the current definition appropriately reflects the available evidence on the risks to individuals from the spread of fire or structural failure. While the BSR have confirmed that it will keep the definition under review, the decision for the definition to remain as it is provides welcome clarity for dutyholders who are still adapting to the HRB regime.

2. Competency of fire engineers

In response to recommendations concerning professional competence, an authoritative statement of the knowledge and skills to be expected of a competent fire engineer was produced by a group of academic and practitioner experts. The intention is to establish a more consistent, accountable and trusted fire engineering profession. 

3. Public tracking of inquiry recommendations 

The government has also delivered on its commitment to improve transparency by publishing public dashboards recording recommendations made by select committees, coroners and public inquiries. 

The dashboards currently track the implementation of recommendations from Phase 2 of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, alongside other major inquiries. This should reinforce ongoing parliamentary and public scrutiny of government action. 

Construction industry: key recommendations still in progress

Single construction regulator

The inquiry identified fragmentation in the regulation of the construction sector and recommended consolidation of relevant regulatory functions under a single construction regulator. The functions include the regulation of buildings, products and professionals. The new regulator will act as a single point of accountability for standards, enforcement and decision-making. 

The government has now published a paper setting out how they will deliver this reform with the consultation set to close in March 2026. 

Review of Approved Documents 

A six member expert panel has been appointed to guide the review of Approved Documents - in particular Approved Document B. 

Approved Documents, which are approved by the Secretary of State, provide practical guidance on compliance with building regulations. Approved Document B relates specifically to fire safety matters. 

The review will focus on how the current statutory guidance might best be structured and presented to provide accurate, up to date and coherent guidance to support compliance with building regulations. A full list of recommendations will be published this year. 

Construction products conformity and certification 

The government is developing proposals to change how construction products are assessed for compliance with legislation, statutory guidance and industry standards. One such proposal includes tightening up the regulation of the conformity assessment bodies by subjecting them to a statutory code and imposing the requirement on them to obtain a licence from the national regulator. 

These proposals are expected to be published in the forthcoming Construction Products Reform White paper this year. 

Requirement for BRPD statement in Gateway 2 applications 

It will be a statutory requirement that an application for building control approval in relation to the construction or refurbishment of a HRB (Gateway 2) be supported with a statement by the principal designer under the Building Safety Act 2022 confirming they have complied with their duties which include taking all reasonable steps to ensure the design complies with the relevant requirements under the building regulations. 

The government has expressed their commitment to implementing this statutory requirement. At the same time, it will be considered whether this requirement should apply to all building control routes and not just HRBs. 

Fire engineering education 

The government recognises the value of more high quality masters level courses in fire engineering. They are therefore considering how to most effectively increase the number of places on these courses and take up. 

Conclusion