Building Safety recap December, 2025
[edit] December in brief
December was marked by the Building Safety Regulator: Building a better regulator 2nd Report of Session 2024–26 published by the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee, which scrutinised the history, functions and processes BSR. Internationally a reminder of the dangers of high rise fires was highlighted by the final death toll of the horrendous Wang Fuk Court fire, which had early climbed and by early December reached the final death toll of 161 people. In the UK building safety reform continues with some criticism and inconsistency, remediation activity continues to increase as regulatory systems try to strengthen clarity such as definitions of higher-risk buildings, along with clearer new Gateway guidance. Some results in the improvement processes of the Building Safety Regulator was noted, alongside the proposals for the single construction regulator, as recommended by the Grenfell inquiry being published. Whilst the proposals to enshrine PAS 9980 into law, has remained contentious, in particular for its term “tolerable” open interpretation. Some highlighting the risks of allowing combustible materials to remain, potentially undermining safety and inflating insurance costs, despite the government arguing that it provides proportionate, practical clarity to accelerate stalled remediation. Furthermore reopening the original PAS 9980 consultation due to discovery of lost submissions has not helped confidence in the framework. On the more positive, the announcement of the new Built Environment Competence Hub in 2026 and one Hackney-based co-living scheme of 150 homes achieving Gateway 2 approval from the BSR in a record breaking time of 13 weeks, only one week longer than the targeted 12 weeks. Highlighting the actuality of the improved BSR processes and some hope of clearing the backlogs.
[edit] December in detail
[edit] Major fires still a risk under 'spineless' new safety law, construction boss warns. 28 December 2025
David Jones, president of the Institute of Construction Management, criticised the government plans to turn post-Grenfell fire safety guidance into law, arguing the proposed rules are too vague and permissive of risk. The guidance, known as PAS 9980, he says allows “tolerable” fire risks such as retaining flammable materials, and is open to subjective interpretation, this would enable developers to exploit loopholes, calling its legal adoption an “absolute abomination.” Ministers argue the approach is proportionate, will speed up remediation, and provide clarity amid slow progress since Grenfell, campaigners and residents fear it could leave dangerous materials in place, worsen insurance costs, and fail to address internal fire safety defects, consultation on the plans closed at the end of December and legislation expected in 2026.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cev8mrgky9eo
[edit] PAS 9980 consultation reopens to allow for comment checks. 22 December 2025
The British Standards Institution (BSi) reopened its consultation on PAS 9980 after discovering that a software update caused some public comments to be lost, affecting standards open for consultation between late March and September. Following an investigation, BSI confirmed PAS 9980 was impacted and has reopened the Draft for Public Consultation until 31 December 2025 so respondents can verify their submissions, which are now visible. The standard, which guides fire risk appraisals of external walls in residential blocks, is under review as part of an anticipated tightening of statutory oversight, with updated guidance expected in early 2026 and the government planning to embed the PAS 9980 framework into law, including mandatory assessor requirements and audit controls.
https://www.thefpa.co.uk/news/pas-9980-consultation-reopens-to-allow-for-comment-checks
[edit] Building Safety Remediation: monthly data release - November 2025. 19 December 2025
As of November 2025, 5,613 residential buildings 11 metres and above have been identified with unsafe cladding, with 2,741 (49%) having started or completed remediation and 1,938 (35%) fully completed, reflecting ongoing progress across MHCLG’s five remediation programmes. High-rise ACM cladding remediation is nearly complete, with 97% of 513 buildings started or finished and 91% fully completed, while the Building Safety Fund has seen 78% of 705 high-rise buildings started or completed, including 64% fully finished. The Cladding Safety Scheme has started or completed work on 20% of 935 eligible buildings, with many more in pre-application stages, while developer-led remediation covers 2,497 buildings with life-critical defects, of which 43% have started or completed work. In social housing, 47% of 2,959 affected buildings have started or completed remediation, though progress has slowed, and local authorities have taken enforcement action on 738 buildings, demonstrating continued regulatory oversight and gradual improvement in fire safety across residential buildings.
[edit] Guidance on staged applications and key steps between Gateway 2 and 3 for BC of new HRBs. 18 December 25
On 18 December 2025, the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) published new guidance notes on Staged Applications and key steps from Gateway 2 to Gateway 3 for Building Control of new Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs), building on earlier guidance from July 2025. The guidance, developed collaboratively with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), supports duty holders and assessors in managing Building Control Approval applications, progressive assurance of works, and preparation for Completion Certificates, facilitating safer and faster handover and occupation. Key updates include Guidance Note 01 (updated process map), Guidance Note 08 (Staged Applications for partial HRB works), and Guidance Note 09 (Gateway 2 to 3 steps). Industry and BSR leaders emphasised that the guidance strengthens collaboration, improves process efficiency, and provides confidence to developers and investors that the regulatory system is functioning effectively.
[edit] Industry reaction, as MHCLG publishes single construction regulator prospectus. 17 December 2025
MHCLG published its prospectus for a Single Construction Regulator, outlining plans to consolidate oversight of construction products, building control, and professional regulation to improve safety, accountability, and culture across the construction industry. The proposal responds to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 recommendation for a single regulator to reduce fragmentation, drive culture change, and integrate functions such as testing and certifying products, licensing contractors, monitoring compliance, and accrediting fire risk assessors. Industry and professional bodies, including CIOB, ARB, and CIAT, broadly welcomed the plans, noting their potential to strengthen regulation and embed safety. The government consultation on the proposals closes on 20 March 2026, seeking input on outcomes, roles, digital standards, automation, and culture change, with a full response expected in summer 2026.
[edit] Definition of higher-risk buildings. 17 December 2025
On 17 December 2025, MHCLG published its policy paper, The Definition of Higher-Risk Buildings: Initial Review and Plans for Ongoing Review, outlining reforms to address systemic failures in building safety. The paper sets out a new regulatory regime introducing clearer duty holder responsibilities, stronger oversight, and ongoing obligations to manage risks in existing higher-risk buildings, replacing a fragmented system where inconsistent procedures and weak enforcement previously prevailed. By improving accountability, embedding competence across the industry, ensuring accurate building information, and increasing resident involvement, the reforms aim to close safety gaps exposed by the Grenfell Tower fire and the cladding crisis, restoring public confidence and ensuring higher-risk buildings are designed, constructed, and managed to demonstrably safer standards.
[edit] The Building Safety Regulator: Building a better regulator 11 December 2025
The House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee’s 2nd Report, reiterated how the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire exposed serious flaws in the UK’s building safety system, including weak regulation of construction products, poor enforcement, misleading marketing, and conflicts of interest in inspections. And that in response, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) was established through the Building Safety Act 2022 to oversee high-rise construction, certify existing buildings, and regulate inspectors, increasing scrutiny of building design and management. However, the BSR has faced operational challenges, with decisions often exceeding statutory timelines, delays compounded by skills shortages, inefficient processes, unclear communication, and substandard applications. While reforms such as staged approvals, in-house capacity building, and improved guidance are underway, urgent improvements are still needed to ensure timely remediation of dangerous cladding, safer buildings, and progress toward national housing targets, alongside planned wider reforms including stricter construction product regulation and the eventual creation of a single construction regulator.
https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/The_Building_Safety_Regulator:_Building_a_better_regulator
[edit] Wang Fuk Court fire of 2025. 10 December, 2025
By mid and late December the total number of deaths arising from the catastrophic multi-tower fire at Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court estate on 26 November 2025, were confirmed as being 161. The final two bodies were confirmed through DNA samples found, 79 others were injured and 56 were rescued from the fires. The horrific and catastrophic multi-tower fire erupted at Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court estate on 26 November 2025, tearing through eight scaffold-wrapped residential blocks under renovation. The fire spread rapidly up bamboo scaffolding and across buildings, likely accelerated by combustible green netting and foam window coverings that failed safety standards, while collapsing scaffolds and reported alarm malfunctions hampered escape and firefighting. The blaze was extinguished on 28 November, but devastation became clear only after days of searches, with over 1,100 residents displaced and major relief funds mobilised. Authorities arrested 13 individuals linked to the renovation works and suspended related projects as investigations examine unsafe temporary materials, compromised fire-safety systems, and regulatory lapses that allowed the disaster to unfold.
[edit] Built Environment Competence Hub pre-launch access announcement. 9 December 2025
In November 2025, the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) and British Standards Institution (BSI) announced the launch of the Built Environment Competence Hub, set to go live in January 2026. Developed in collaboration with the Industry Competence Steering Group (ICSG), the Hub will serve as a central resource for professionals across the built environment sector—including designers, contractors, regulators, and those involved in competence development or oversight—providing access to the latest competence frameworks, standards, guidance, tools, and best practices in one trusted location. The Hub aims to simplify the complex competence landscape, helping individuals and organisations strengthen skills and understanding across the sector. In December 2025, BSI and the Construction Industry Council (CIC) opened early access registration, allowing professionals to explore the Hub, stay updated on regulatory changes, access curated resources, and contribute to shaping the future of competence in the built environment.
https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/BSi_Built_Environment_Competence_Hub
[edit] Hackney co-living scheme, of 150 homes, receives record Gateway 2 approval in 13 weeks. 9 December 2025.
A Hackney-based co-living scheme comprising 150 homes, developed by Morro under the Meanwhile Group, has achieved Gateway 2 approval from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) in just 13 weeks, slightly above the regulator’s official 12-week target. This milestone is seen as a significant moment for homebuilders, reflecting improvements in the BSR’s processes after earlier delays caused by incomplete applications and unclear guidance. The BSR has implemented operational changes, including an Innovation Unit of inspectors and technical engineers, to streamline decision-making. Both Gateway 2 approval and planning consent were secured within the same year, allowing construction to begin. Developers and project managers emphasised that strong collaboration, clear communication, and quality processes were key to achieving this “record time” approval, signalling growing confidence in the UK’s build-to-rent sector.
https://www.thefpa.co.uk/news/bsr-approval-a-milestone-for-progress
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