Building Control Independent Panel: Government response to report

The report was submitted to the government in March 2026. The government has considered the Panel’s findings, principles and recommendations, and is publishing this initial response alongside the report.

The government response, published on May 20^th, set out its initial position on the Panel’s principles for reform and commits to undertaking further analysis of the recommendations. Where required, this will include consulting on the most effective and proportionate way forward.

The document also outlines action the government is already taking which aligns with the Panel’s principles, including steps to support workforce capacity, improve funding sustainability, strengthen data and digital capability, increase process clarity, and embed reform within the wider programme of building safety and regulatory change.

Published 20 May 2026

The response says:

The government is grateful for the care, expertise and insight that the Chair and Panel members have brought to this review. Government also recognises the commitment and professionalism of Registered Building Inspectors (RBIs) whose work plays a vital role in upholding building safety standards, often in challenging circumstances.

The building control profession is a vitally important workforce which is highly valued by government as the enablers of nationally important drive to provide safe, good quality new housing and other buildings. 

Our priority is to enable RBIs to operate as confident, independent regulators who are part of a system which provides proportionate oversight, clear processes and sufficient capacity. Future reform must be carefully phased and sequenced in partnership with the sector. This is critical to avoid disruption to existing arrangements, while preserving and growing capacity. We must ensure a resilient and stable system for the long term that delivers a strong, local regulatory service that protects the public and delivers high-quality buildings.

The Panel also sets out a series of recommendations to strengthen the current system and more fundamental recommendations for longer‑term reform.

The government commits to undertaking further analysis of these recommendations and, where required, consulting on the most effective and proportionate way forward. The remainder of this response therefore sets out the government’s initial approach, ahead of fuller proposals and detailed implementation options.

We look forward to working in partnership with the building control sector, the regulator and industry, as we take our next steps considering the Panel’s recommendations. It is time for government and the sector to look forward together to a safer future for all of our buildings using the invaluable work of Dame Judith Hackitt and the wider Panel as the compass to guide that work.

The panel members are:

• Dame Judith Hackitt (Chair): Renowned engineer who led the landmark Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety following the Grenfell tragedy.
• Elaine Bailey: Senior executive with extensive operational leadership experience across the construction, housing, and justice sectors.
• Ken Rivers: Prominent chartered engineer and process safety specialist with deep expertise in managing high-hazard industrial environments.
• Rt Hon Nick Raynsford: Former UK Minister for Housing and Planning, widely recognized for his long-standing policy contributions to construction safety.
• Dr David Snowball: Former Director of Regulation and field operations head at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).