The Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG) has announced key reforms to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) in a bid to “unblock delays” and accelerate the housebuilding process
The new package of reforms includes a fast track process, changes to leadership, and new investment, with former commissioner of the London Fire Brigade (LFB), Andy Roe KFSM, appointed as non-executive chair of a new board at the MHCLG, which will oversee the functions of the BSR as part of initial steps towards creating a single construction regulator.
In a press release published on 30 June 2025, Minister for Building Safety, Alex Norris said: “The establishment of the Building Safety Regulator has been fundamental to centralising safety in the construction process, and it’s time to take the next steps to build on that precedent and create a system that works for the sector whilst keeping residents and their safety at the heart of the process.
“That’s why we’re announcing a package of reforms to the BSR today to enhance operations, reduce delays, and unlock the homes this country desperately needs – delivering on our Plan for Change.”
Building on the “strong foundation created by the HSE in establishing the BSR”, MHCLG intends for the new organisational structure to support the delivery of 1.5 million safe, high-quality homes and speed up remediation. As part of its new fast track process, MHCLG will “bring building inspector and engineer capacity directly into the BSR to enhance the processing and review of existing newbuild cases and remediation decisions”.
“This will respond to concerns in the sector around delays whilst crucially keeping building and residents’ safety at the core of the process,” it stated.
Additionally, long-term investment in the capacity of the BSR will see over 100 new members of staff “to support with enhancing operations, reducing delays, and supporting progress towards building 1.5m safe, high-quality homes”.
Roe, who recently retired from his role as LFB Commissioner, said: “The creation of the new Building Safety Regulator was a watershed moment for housing and construction in this country.
“However, it is also clear that the BSR processes’ need to continue to evolve and improve, to ensure that it plays its part in enabling the homes this country desperately needs to be built.
“I look forward to working with colleagues both in industry and the BSR to tackle the current issues and delays head on and help get those homes built safely.”
Roe will be supported by LFB’s Deputy Commissioner, Charlie Pugsley, who will take up the role of the new chief executive officer for the BSR.
Under the new reforms, the new arm’s length body to MHCLG will take on the functions of the BSR from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in “due course”. HSE Chair, Sarah Newton added: “Setting up an entirely new regulator has been complex and huge progress has been made in a short space of time.
“Protecting residents and making sure there is never another tragedy like Grenfell has been our priority throughout this process. We wish the new BSR team well in this most important mission.
“We are very proud of the work we have done to establish the BSR. It was always an option that once the new regulator was established that it would move out of HSE to enable the Government to implement the Grenfell Public Inquiry recommendations, and we will work hard to enable the smooth transition to the next stage.”
