The Scottish Response to the Grenfell Inquiry: Planned Actions and Reforms

The tragic Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 prompted a wide-ranging public inquiry and a series of recommendations to improve building and fire safety across the UK.

The Scottish Government has responded by accepting all recommendations from the Grenfell Inquiry that are relevant to Scotland, demonstrating a strong commitment to learning from the disaster and enhancing safety standards.

Key Elements of the Scottish Government’s Response

The Scottish Government’s approach focuses on legislative reform, improved compliance, and enhanced fire safety. The response includes:

• Legislative Reform: The government plans to introduce new legislation to strengthen the building standards system. This will include the introduction of a compliance plan manager, changes to enforcement powers, and tougher sanctions for non-compliance. These changes will be developed following public consultation and are scheduled for the next session of the Scottish Parliament.
• Review of Fire Safety Standards: A thorough review of fire safety standards and guidance is underway, with the aim of ensuring that regulations are robust and up to date.
• Consultation and Stakeholder Engagement: The government plans to consult widely on proposed legislative changes, including mandatory periodic fire risk assessments for high-rise buildings and regulated requirements for Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) or equivalent risk assessments.
• Improved Compliance and Enforcement: There will be a focus on strengthening the competency of fire risk assessors, with new legislation requiring duty holders to hire competent professionals. The government is also considering the appointment of a Chief Construction Adviser to oversee these reforms.
• Awareness and Resilience: A fire safety information campaign will be launched for residents of high-rise buildings. The government will also work with local authorities and emergency responders to improve resilience guidance, training, and practice.
• Collaboration with the UK Government: The Scottish Government will work closely with the UK Government on shared responsibilities, such as the development of a national licensing scheme for principal contractors and the establishment of a UK Construction Regulator.
• Ongoing Oversight: The Ministerial Working Group on Building and Fire Safety will continue to coordinate these activities, ensuring that progress is monitored and recommendations are implemented effectively.

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