THE Scottish Government has said it is ‘carefully considering’ each of the UK Government’s Grenfell inquiry recommendations insofar as they apply in Scotland.
The inquiry’s final report was published today, with the UK Government accepting the findings and setting out a plan to act on all 58 recommendations.
Under the proposals, industry will be held to account for failure, with new regulatory measures to prevent a tragedy like the events at Grenfell Tower from ever happening again.
Reforms include a single construction regulator to ensure those responsible for building safety are held to account; and tougher oversight of those responsible for testing and certifying, manufacturing and using construction products – with serious consequences for rule breakers.
Further to this is 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. A stronger, clearer, and enforceable legal rights for residents will also be introduced – which will make landlords responsible for acting on safety concerns.
New powers under the procurement act will also be used to investigate seven of the organisations criticised in the report. If certain grounds are met, their names will be added to a published debarment list which must be taken into account by contracting authorities when awarding new contracts.
The Grenfell Inquiry’s final report exposed a system that ignored safety risks and failed to listen to residents. The report laid bare ‘systemic dishonesty’ in the industry, failures in the construction sector and by successive governments, and poor regulation in the run up to the disaster.
Scottish Government housing minister Paul McLennan said, “Our thoughts remain with the bereaved and survivors of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
“I welcome the UK Government’s broad acceptance of the recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report. The tragic fire emphasises how important building and fire safety is in keeping residents and homeowners safe.
“In the aftermath of the tragedy we have taken steps in Scotland to strengthen building safety. This includes banning combustible cladding products from use on specified buildings and introducing new fire safety processes in new-build high rises.
“The Scottish Government is carefully considering each of the inquiry’s recommendations insofar as they apply in Scotland and proposals put forward by the UK Government. In areas of reserved responsibility we will seek to work with the UK Government to deliver the necessary reform.
“The pace of delivery of the cladding remediation programme is also now accelerating as the essential building blocks are in place including the housing (cladding remediation) (Scotland) act 2024. This includes speeding up the process of carrying out single building assessments and removing unsafe cladding.
“We will publish our response to the recommendations in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report along with our action plan for cladding remediation on March 25. Subject to the agreement of the Parliamentary Bureau, I will make a statement in the Scottish Parliament to coincide with publication.”
UK Government deputy prime minister Angela Rayner commented, “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.
“That means greater accountability, stronger regulation, and putting residents at the heart of decision-making. We must deliver the fundamental change required. We owe that to the Grenfell community, to the country, and to the memory of those who lost their lives.”
UK Government building safety minister Alex Norris added, “The Grenfell Tower fire was a preventable tragedy, and the failings it exposed demanded fundamental change.
“Our response today to the Inquiry’s findings sets out a comprehensive plan to reform the construction sector, strengthen oversight and make sure that residents are the priority when deciding on building safety issues.
“We will continue working closely with industry, local authorities and the Grenfell community to make sure these reforms deliver real, lasting change and rebuild trust.”
