Independent review
Completed
Building Control Independent Panel
Independent panel chaired by Dame Judith Hackitt, established by MHCLG in April 2025 to examine the building control system in England, addressing Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations 22 and 23 regarding the removal of commercial interest from building control. The panel found the current system characterised by fragmentation, conflicting incentives and uneven statutory capacity, and makes 21 recommendations including establishing a single independent statutory building control system and ending dutyholder choice of regulator. The government's same-day response accepted the foundational principles but committed to further analysis and consultation on the most significant structural changes.
Government Response
Government accepted the five foundational principles for reform and committed to further analysis and consultation. Near-term actions include £55 million over three years to build capacity in the registered building inspector workforce.
Recommendations
Recommendation 1
Establish a single, independent statutory building control system. Legislate for a unified statutory system for all non HRB work, built on independence, national consistency, clear duties and transparent public accountability.
Government response
The government accepts the panel's five foundational principles for reform and commits to undertaking further analysis of these recommendations and, where required, consulting on the most effective and proportionate way forward.
Recommendation 2
Remove dutyholder choice from statutory building control. End client selection of regulator and move to independent allocation model based on risk, competence and capacity. In transition to this, enable preference of BCB to be established.
Government response
The government accepts the panel's five foundational principles for reform and commits to undertaking further analysis of these recommendations and, where required, consulting on the most effective and proportionate way forward.
Recommendation 3
Create consolidated Building Control Bodies (BCBs). Establish fewer, larger building control bodies to take on statutory functions from LA BCAs, to deliver consistent decisions, risk-based inspections and enforcement.
Government response
The government accepts the panel's five foundational principles for reform and commits to undertaking further analysis of these recommendations and, where required, consulting on the most effective and proportionate way forward.
Recommendation 4
Define the role and powers of the Single Construction Regulator (SCR). Set out the SCR's remit across oversight, registration, performance monitoring, HRB decisions and enforcement.
Government response
The government accepts the panel's five foundational principles for reform and commits to undertaking further analysis of these recommendations and, where required, consulting on the most effective and proportionate way forward.
Recommendation 5
Strengthen national enforcement capability. Provide the SCR with specialist legal, investigatory and technical capacity to support robust and consistent enforcement across England.
Government response
The government accepts the panel's five foundational principles for reform and commits to undertaking further analysis of these recommendations and, where required, consulting on the most effective and proportionate way forward.
Recommendation 6
Create one statutory process for applications, notices and approvals. Align requirements across all providers so the statutory function operates to the same clear and modernised rules.
Recommendation 7
Consolidate and modernise statutory instruments. Remove contradictions, update outdated provisions and consolidate building regulations to create a coherent framework for all providers.
Recommendation 8
Consider introducing mandated minimum inspections for standard build types. Set nationally agreed inspection points at key stages in construction of a building, so that work receives consistent, risk appropriate oversight.
Recommendation 9
Complete reform of the 2010 Fees and Charges Regulations. Enable full cost recovery for all statutory activities and remove outdated constraints on how services fund essential functions.
Recommendation 10
Protect building control income. In designing the new model of delivery, ensure income is guaranteed for the long term by ringfencing it to ensure BCBs can deliver their functions effectively.
Recommendation 11
Extend compliance and stop notice powers to private sector RBCAs. Give all providers equivalent duties to act in the public interest, while retaining prosecution powers with new BCBs and the SCR.
Recommendation 12
Deliver a single national digital building control portal. Create one route for all submissions, workflows and records, enabling consistent processes and real time regulatory visibility.
Recommendation 13
Establish national data standards and mandatory reporting. Ensure consistent, high-quality data on inspections, compliance, enforcement and outcomes across all providers. This includes automating data capture, improving consistency and strengthening real-time risk-based oversight.
Recommendation 14
Improve transparency and secure information sharing. Enable structured sharing of regulatory data between providers, the SCR, Government and the public to support accountability and risk based oversight.
Recommendation 15
Reform registration and revalidation to support competence without excessive burden. Shift towards CPD based, predictable and harmonised assessment processes that retain experienced inspectors.
Recommendation 16
Reform the approach to measuring performance. Replace the current burdensome framework with a streamlined, outcome focused approach aligned to statutory purpose.
Recommendation 17
Reduce OSR indicators to a concise set of no more than 20. Focus on inspection sufficiency, compliance, enforcement, competence and data quality to enable meaningful oversight.
Recommendation 18
Establish a single professional code of conduct for all BCAs, setting expectations for independence, behaviour and public interest standards across the sector.
Recommendation 19
Improve dutyholder understanding of the building regulations and building control by updating the Manual to the Building Regulations and supporting that with a communication drive.
Recommendation 20
Progress planned work to improve and regulate the warranty market. As part of that consider the issues raised with the panel about the approach to inspections and the impact on BC fees.
Recommendation 21
Bring together Departmental interests to issue a statement on the future of the CPS scheme. As part of that prioritise and support the BSR's plans to review 'conditions of authorisation'.
No recommendations with this response.