The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) has welcomed the UK Government’s full response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s final report, published today (26 February).
In its response, the Government has accepted the findings of the report and set out its plans to act on all 58 recommendations, driving ‘a sweeping transformation’ to improve building and fire safety standards.
Making the announcement in the House of Commons, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Raynor said: “The Grenfell Tower tragedy claimed 72 innocent lives in a disaster that should never have happened. The final report exposed in stark and devastating detail the shocking industry behaviour and wider failures that led to the fire, and the deep injustices endured by the bereaved, survivors, and residents.
“We are acting on all of the Inquiry’s findings, and today set out our full response, detailing the tough action we are taking to drive change and reform the system to ensure no community will ever have to face a tragedy like Grenfell ever again.”
Reforms set out today include:
- A new single construction regulator to ensure those responsible for building safety are held to account.
- A legal duty of candour through a new Hillsborough Law, compelling public authorities to disclose the truth, ensuring transparency in major incidents, and holding those responsible for failures to account.
- Stronger, clearer, and enforceable legal rights for residents, making landlords responsible for acting on safety concerns.
- Empowering social housing residents to challenge landlords and demand safe, high-quality housing.
Of particular focus for the architectural ironmongery industry will be reforms for tougher oversight of those involved in testing and certifying, manufacturing and using construction products.
A construction products green paper, published today, states: “Proposals include changes to the licensing of Conformity Assessment Bodies; mandatory data reporting; reforms to create clearer accountability for manufacturers and distributors; establishing a Construction Library; expanding the national regulator’s surveillance powers; and improving the regulatory framework for products.”
The GAI will be analysing the Government’s full 72-page response and the construction products green paper in detail over the coming days, publishing updates and additional information for members. We remain committed to working with Government, regulatory bodies, the architectural ironmongery industry and the wider construction sector to ensure the fullest possible response to the lessons learned from this tragedy.
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report: Government response policy paper is available in full at www.gov.uk/government/publications/grenfell-tower-inquiry-phase-2-report-government-response
