The Government’s long-awaited Building Safety Bill is drawing more reaction from the industry as it picks through the details of what is being proposed.
Although still broadly welcomed, many in the industry believes the Government still needs to go further and ministers should actively listen to what is being said in response to the Bill to shape future changes.
RIBA President, Alan Jones said: “Four years on from the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the introduction of the Building Safety Bill to Parliament is long overdue.
“Parts of the construction sector have been far too slow to change, and so a new regulatory system is key to securing public confidence.
“We look forward to working with the new Building Safety Regulator and the Health and Safety Executive to implement effective changes. For example, we remain concerned that the proposed system does not fully address the fractured nature of current construction, procurement and contractual arrangements, which lack continuity of expertise.
“Architects’ knowledge and skills are crucial to driving up the best standards in the built environment, and we will continue to work closely with the ARB to improve architectural education and professional development - ensuring that new competency measures enhance rather than burden the profession.
“The practical details of the bill need urgent attention, in direct consultation with architects, and other experts within the sector – as we unite through a shared ambition to instil confidence and protect public safety.”
In the coming months, through the Building Safety Workstream, the Construction Leadership Council will be actively engaging with industry to promote awareness and understanding of the new regulatory regime, industry-led initiatives and core principles. The whole supply chain must engage now and play their part to improve, it says.
CEO of Tideway and Co-Chair of the Construction Leadership Council, Andy Mitchell said: “The Construction Leadership Council welcomes the introduction of the Building Safety Bill, and we look forward to working closely with MHCLG and other relevant parties to embed the requirements of the Bill into the industry’s working practices.
“The Bill is a key part of the Government’s wider reform package and now it is here, all should seek to lead the cultural changes that are needed.”
Graham Watts, CEO of the Construction Industry Council, Chair of the Competence Steering Group and Co-Chair of the CLC’s Building Safety workstream said: “It has been a long wait but essential in order for the Government to get a set of very complex issues as well defined as possible in the bill.
“I particularly welcome the early sight of proposals for the detail in secondary legislation, which is vital to a complete understanding of the new regime and its implications.”
CEO of the Construction Products Association and Co-Chair of the CLC’s Building Safety workstream, Peter Caplehorn said: “This is a really significant moment for the UK construction industry and the entire supply chain can welcome this new Bill. Along with a range of initiatives already underway which are helping to drive culture change across the industry, the legislation will provide the much-needed legal framework for reform.
“The new regulatory regime for construction products is a particularly key way in which we can ensure better safety in the built environment. I’m sure this will be complemented by the new Code for Construction Product Information.”
Victoria Moffett, Head of Building and Fire Safety Programmes at the National Housing Federation said: “We welcome the publication of the Bill as an important milestone. It is the next step in overhauling the building safety regulatory system to make sure a tragedy like the fire at Grenfell Tower never happens again.
“It’s positive to see the government acknowledge today that private developers are ultimately responsible for the poor workmanship which has led to so many safety issues. And, that these developers should therefore cover the costs of the work, rather than homeowners or those in social housing.
“But many questions remain about what will happen in practice.
“Giving leaseholders longer to pursue private developers for compensation could help some people, but unfortunately not everyone who is struggling to pay enormous building safety bills. There was also no announcement about other financial support for leaseholders today.
“The government has rightfully made it a legal requirement for building owners to pursue all other options before passing any building safety costs on to leaseholders. Not-for-profit housing associations have already been doing this but we are concerned to hear of cases where they have not been successful and housing associations will have no other choice but to still pass on costs to homeowners or shared owners in their buildings.
“There was also no funding for housing associations remediating social housing announced today. Charitable housing associations have so far been unable to access existing government funds. They are already diverting billions of pounds away from the upkeep of their social homes and away from building new social housing in order to make safe homes they bought in good faith.
“If the government want to avoid bills being passed on to homeowners and fewer affordable homes getting built over the next decade, they will need to cover all building safety costs upfront and claim the costs back later from the companies they acknowledge are responsible – such as private developers.”
