Building Safety recap October, 2025
[edit] In brief
[edit] September in brief
Significant developments in building safety and construction included the appointment of Thouria Istephan as interim Chief Construction Adviser and Paul Brown as chair of Build UK, coinciding with plans for £725 billion in infrastructure investment. Key fire safety initiatives included the LABC Fire Engineering Principlestraining, Fire Door Safety Week, and the CIOB awarding Kabbe Njie for work on cultural safety. The Regulator of Social Housing reported 1,926 life-critical defects in high-rise social housing, while the Building Safety Fund closed to new applications, with future remediation routed through the Cladding Safety Scheme. Parliament and committees continued scrutinising the Building Safety Regulator, focusing on remediation pace, guidance, staffing, and Grenfell Inquiry recommendations, as Barratt Redrow revealed over £1 billion in legacy safety costs.
[edit] October in brief
Key developments over the past month have included continued and concluding scrutiny from of BSR by parliament and the Industry and Regulators Committee over delays in new build and remediation approvals, with 33,000 homes awaiting decisions, though reforms including the Innovation Unit aiming to streamline processes. Though BSR reported record Gateway 2 applications, supported by its Innovation Unit, while social housing competence standards advanced. Gateway 2 approval was granted to the UK’s first volumetric student accommodation scheme in Ealing. In London building on BSR and MHCLG improved performance Housing Secretary and the Mayor of London announced fast-tracked planning, new powers and emergency measures to increase housebuilding in the capitol with a £322 million investment fund, and regulatory relief to accelerate housebuilding and deliver affordable homes in line with government targets.
NFCC published its Remediation Position Statement, warning that enforcement alone cannot fix systemic building safety flaws and calling for a centrally coordinated, risk-based remediation programme, workforce development, and regulatory reform. Whilst Scotland’s Cladding Remediation Programme progressed with over 1,000 expressions of interest and £14.2 million spent and Birmingham City Council secured a landmark £50,000 fire safety prosecution for non-compliance with an Improvement Notice. MHCLG issued guidance to accelerate developer-led remediation.
Debates on professional standards and fire safety continued, FPA announced a partnership with FDM to expand fire safety training, alongside its 2025 manifesto and the publication of the Built Environment governance. RBKC further lifted its procurement ban for a consultancy firm involved with Grenfell following a judicial review and out of court settlement, CIOB endorsed the Code for Construction Product Information to improve product transparency and trust. The Housing Scrutiny Commission recommended to Southwark Council that Marie Curie House, the sister building to Lakanal house (which was refurbished in 2017 after the tragic fire in 2009), be demolished due to rising costs, the impact of the BSA and additional fire and structural risks, that were not applicable to Lakanal house.
[edit] October in detail
[edit] CIOB backs Code for Construction Product Information. 31 October
On 31 October, the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) announced its support for the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI), developed by the Construction Product Association to improve transparency, accuracy, and traceability in construction product labelling and marketing. The CIOB emphasised that the code is vital for restoring trust and ensuring safety through reliable product information. The institute also highlighted its Guide to Products Critical to Safe Construction, published in August 2025, which supports the CCPI and has been downloaded nearly 800 times. The CCPI, managed by CPI Ltd, now includes over 100 registered organisations and more than 100 product sets certified with its quality mark.
https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/CIOB_backs_Code_for_Construction_Product_Information
[edit] Scotland’s Cladding Remediation Programme update. 28 October
As of 30 September 2025, the Cladding Remediation Programme had received 1,062 expressions of interest (EoIs) through the Single Open Call, roughly half from property managers and half from social landlords. Of these, 368 were found ineligible for funding, while 478 initial grant or funding offers were issued, mainly to local authorities and registered social landlords. To speed progress, the Scottish Government issued initial offers for social housing landlords pending confirmation of eligibility, meaning some may not proceed. Sixteen Single Building Assessments (SBAs) had been completed, all identifying remediation needs; urgent interim measures were in place for six buildings, and remediation had begun on two. Total programme expenditure from 2021/22 to 30 September 2025 was £14.2 million.
https://www.gov.scot/publications/scotlands-cladding-remediation-programme-update-q3-2025/
[edit] IRC BSR inquiry questions Minister and leadership on performance. 28 October
The Industry and Regulators Committee is concluding its inquiry into building safety regulation by hearing from Building Safety Minister Samantha Dixon MP and the new Chair and Chief Executive of the Building Safety Regulator, which has been set up to promote the safe design and construction of higher-risk buildings. The Committee will question whether the BSR’s approvals processes have delayed the construction of new high-rise housing and the removal of cladding from existing blocks and consider the Government’s reforms to address them. The Committee will also consider the extent to which delays have been caused by the culture and capability of the construction industry, and whether the BSR has provided sufficient guidance to the industry on how to build safe high-rise buildings. The Committee will also examine how to ensure that the regulator has the skills and resources it needs to provide timely approvals, in a sector facing skills shortages.
https://committees.parliament.uk/event/25273/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/
[edit] Accelerated decision making powers and funds to ramp up housebuilding in London. 23 Oct
The Housing Secretary and Mayor of London announced emergency measures to tackle the capital’s housebuilding crisis, building on BSR and MHCLG efforts to streamline high-rise building approvals. The Mayor will gain powers to fast-track developments, review or call-in schemes of 50+ homes, and approve 1,000 sqm+ green belt projects, while Mayoral Development Orders will bypass local vetoes. A £322 million City Hall Developer Investment Fund, alongside £11.7 billion from the Social and Affordable Homes Programme and low-cost loans via the National Housing Bank, will boost housing delivery, targeting 1.5 million new homes. Measures include fast-tracked planning for schemes with at least 20 % affordable housing, temporary relief from development levies and the Community Infrastructure Levy, relaxed design and cycle storage rules, and greater flexibility on density and basements. Housing Secretary Steve Reed and Mayor Sadiq Khan emphasised that these interventions aim to unlock stalled developments, accelerate construction of affordable homes, and address the severe financial and supply pressures currently affecting London housebuilding, while BSR Chair Andy Roe noted the regulator’s reforms are already improving high-rise approvals without compromising safety.
[edit] Westminster Hall debate on the performance of the BSR (Volume 773). 23 October
The House of Commons debated the performance of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), highlighting delays in approvals for new builds and remediation, with around 33,000 homes awaiting approval and many applications taking 25–40 weeks versus the 12-week target. MPs and industry representatives called for greater efficiency, transparency, and pre-application support, while the Minister confirmed reforms including an Innovation Unit managing 27 applications (6,192 homes) on schedule, and acknowledged ongoing workforce shortages in fire engineering and inspection. The debate underscored tensions between ensuring safety and avoiding bottlenecks in housing delivery.
[edit] CIAT's Principal Designer Registers now have over 30 registrants. 22 October
CIAT launched the Principal Designer Register to help Chartered Architectural Technologists demonstrate the skills, knowledge, experience, and behaviours required to fulfil the Principal Designer (PD) role under the Building Regulations for both HRBs and non-HRBs. The PD is responsible for ensuring that the building’s overall design complies with regulations, even when other designers contribute. CIAT encourages all Chartered Members undertaking PD responsibilities to register, as successful registration for HRBs automatically includes listing for non-HRBs. Those who were previously unsuccessful are welcome to resubmit at any time and are advised to consult the Building Safety Hub for resources, exemplars, and guidance.
[edit] Government implementation timeline for Inquiry recommendations updated. 17 October
[edit] Policy paper Progress report: summary update updated. 17 October
[edit] Birmingham Landmark fire safety prosecution of £50,000. 16 October
On 16 October 2025, Birmingham City Council secured the West Midlands’ first prosecution for failing to comply with a fire safety Improvement Notice under the Housing Act 2004. Freehold Managers (Nominees) Limited, responsible for Centenary Plaza, pleaded guilty to ignoring an Improvement Notice issued in September 2023 requiring fire door repairs, upgraded emergency lighting, and improved escape routes. The company was fined £50,000 at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court. This is only the second such case nationally and marks a major step in the council’s post-Grenfell efforts to enforce fire safety in high-rise buildings. Councillor Nicky Brennan said the ruling sends a clear message that Birmingham will use all available powers to hold building owners accountable and prioritise residents’ safety.
[edit] National Fire Chiefs Council publish remediation position statement. 16 October
NFCC warns that the UK cannot “enforce its way out” of the building safety crisis, calling for a centrally coordinated remediation programme to address systemic failures in regulation, funding, data, and workforce capacity. Launching its Remediation Position Statement ahead of the Government’s Remediation Bill, NFCC said the current reliance on fire and rescue services to uphold a broken system is unsustainable. While welcoming the Government’s Remediation Acceleration Plan, which targets completion of high-rise remediation by 2029 and medium-rise by 2031, NFCC highlighted major obstacles including fragmented funding, fluctuating data (5,900–12,000 affected buildings), and workforce shortages. Inspecting all at-risk buildings is estimated to cost £46 million, straining already reduced fire service budgets. With fewer than 30 qualified fire engineers and only 2.7% of staff focused on fire safety, NFCC reiterated calls for a national Construction Skills Strategy. Chair Phil Garrigan said enforcement alone cannot fix a broken system and urged the Government to fully implement the Grenfell Inquiry recommendations and strengthen regulation. The statement calls for a risk-based remediation programme, comprehensive funding, regulatory reform, clarified enforcement powers, and a long-term strategy to rebuild capacity and restore public safety.
https://nfcc.org.uk/our-services/position-statements/remediation/
[edit] BSR building control approval application data October 2025. 16 October
152 active new build Gateway 2 applications nationally, covering 33,670 housing units.The newly formed Innovation Unit (IU) is managing 27 of those applications (6,192 units) and is meeting the 12‑week service level targets. Historic 'previous model' new build applications (91 cases or 21,745 units) are being targeted for resolution by 31 Dec 2025. Remediation applications under Gateway 2 are also tracked; the report highlights a need for a centralised remediation team to handle the backlog.The report lists key 'blockers' causing delays as being: limited availability of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) expertise, fire engineering capacity, structural engineers and timely information from applicants.
[edit] Gateway 2 approval for first volumetric scheme; 13-19 The Green, Ealing. 15 October
A 23-storey modular student accommodation block at 13–19 The Green in Southall, Ealing, has become the UK’s first volumetric scheme to receive Gateway 2 approval from the Building Safety Regulator. Developed by Tide Construction and designed by Formation Architects, with Vision Volumetric delivering the build, the 424-bed, car-free project includes communal spaces, work areas, terraces, and 329 cycle parking spaces. Thirty-five percent of beds will be offered at affordable rent, 10% of rooms will be fully accessible, and the scheme targets a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. Located within the Southall Opportunity Area, the project received planning permission in January 2025, submitted for Gateway 2 in March, and secured approval in October. Construction will begin immediately, with completion due for the 2026 academic year.
https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/First_volumetric_scheme_gets_gateway_2_approval
[edit] MHCLG publish resources to support developer-led remediation. 15 October
Working with developers, Responsible Entities and resident groups MHCLG have developed resources to overcome known pain points and barriers in support of developers to accelerate remediation and improve resident experience:
- Guidance for Responsible Entities to address common misconceptions about the Developer Remediation Contract in order to reduce the likelihood of disputes between Responsible Entities and developers.
- Dispute resolution guidance for developers and Responsible Entities offers parties an off-the-shelf way to resolve disputes that have arisen (especially pre-works) without having to go to court.
- A Template access agreement and guidance that developers and Responsible Entities can use more quickly to agree terms under which the Responsible Entity will grant the developer access to the building.
[edit] Marie Curie House recommended for demolition. 14 October
Marie Curie House, is part of the Sceaux Gardens Estate, London, known as the sister block of Lakanal House because it was built to the same design. Lakanal House suffered a devastating fire in on 3 July 2009 which killed six people and injured at least 20, when a blaze spread rapidly due poor compartmentalisation and flammable cladding installed during a 2007 refurbishment. An inquest in 2013 after which the block was returned to Southwark Council, blamed the council and their contractors, leading to a plea of guilty on 4 counts and a fine of £300,000. In 2020 Marie Curie House, its neighbouring block, were also found to have similar fire safety failings, which lead to the evacuation of 98 households in 2021. Although Lakanal House had since been refurbished, handed over and occupied since in March 2017, rising costs, new requirements under the 2022 Building Safety Act, and worsening structural issues of Marie Curie house, including degradation, carbonation, and gas risks lead to suggestions that refurbishment would be unviable. On 14 October 2025 in a meeting with Southwark Council, the Housing Scrutiny Commission recommended demolishing and redeveloping Marie Curie House to provide a safer, sustainable long-term solution.
[edit] Built environment governance and professionalism. 10 October
Buildings and Cities the international open-access journal publishing research on the built environment, publish article 'Built environment governance and professionalism: the end of laissez-faire (again)' examining the decline of professionalism in the UK’s built environment over the past 40 years, linking it to neo-liberal deregulation and the erosion of ethics, competence, and public trust: failures exemplified by the Grenfell Tower disaster. The author, Simon Foxell calls for a renewed, collaborative model of professionalism centred on public interest, accountability, and evidence-based practice, supported by stronger institutional governance. The paper argues that effective regulation requires a balanced partnership between government, market forces, and professional institutions to ensure safety, sustainability, and public confidence.
[edit] FPA and FDM announce partnership to advance fire safety standards. 5 October
FPA welcomes FDM as partner following announcement of the development of new Training and Education Centre (TEC) in Oxfordshire, to expand development and training opportunities for fire safety professionals across the UK. Opening in January 2026, the TEC is being developed in conjunction with industry partners, including FDM, to provide learners with an authentic and immersive training environment where they can gain practical, hands-on experience. Through this newly announced partnership, FPA learners will soon be able to complete FDM courses at the new site.
https://www.thefpa.co.uk/news/fpa-and-fdm-announce-partnership-to-advance-fire-safety-standards
[edit] Template Access Agreement for Developer Remediation Contract buildings. 3 October
A template agreement that developers and Responsible Entities can use to allow a developer access to a building covered by the Developer Remediation Contract, so that the building to be assessed for fire safety, and guidance on how to use it.
[edit] FPA fire safety policy manifesto. 3 October
FPA launches 2025 fire safety policy manifesto calling for prosecution of those who fail to fix unsafe buildings, enforcing accountability for endangering lives, regulating and maintaining the competence of fire risk assessors, mandating sprinklers in all new and refurbished schools, accelerating construction product safety reforms with a new regulator, and supporting a safe transition to net zero through fire-safe, low-carbon building practices. FPA Chief Executive, Dr Gavin Dunn, said during the launch of the manifesto at the 2025 Labour Party Conference:
“The FPA’s objective is to protect people, property, and the UK environment whilst enabling innovation in the construction and property sectors, without compromising fire safety. The policy positions we will be actively pursuing throughout 2025 are designed to help achieve this. The success of this mission relies on collaboration with government, regulators, and industry, and the FPA stands ready to collaborate with all stakeholders to advance the pragmatic and achievable policies.”
[edit] RBKC settles judicial review claim and removes ban on consultancy firm. 31 October
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s Phase 1 Report (2019) exposed major failings by the council, KCTMO, and contractors, prompting Kensington and Chelsea Council (RBKC) to ban firms involved, including Rydon, Celotex, Kingspan, and Arconic from future contracts. Following the Phase 2 Report in October 2024, which revealed further systemic issues and a culture of blame, RBKC extended the ban to all associated companies. However, after legal challenges, the council lifted the ban on Siderise in July 2025 and on Artelia on 2 October 2025, following judicial reviews that argued the exclusions were inconsistent with procurement law. The council’s policy remains in place for the other companies named.
https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Kensington_and_Chelsea_Grenfell_contractor_policy
[edit] Building Control Approval application data. 1 October
The Building Safety Regulator’s (BSR) Gateway 2 (GW2) update to 1 October 2025, details how new streamlined pilot processes for building control applications are starting to have a positive impact. Gateway 2 determinations reach all-time high of 209 across all application types during August 2025. As of 1 October 2025, BSR is actively progressing 152 national new build applications, representing 33,670 homes. Newly established Innovation Unit (IU) managing 27 new build applications (6,192 units). The majority of applications in the IU are meeting or exceeding 12-week Service Level Agreement (SLA) for new build applications.
[edit] Competence and Conduct Standard for social housing continues progress. 1 October
The directions for the RSH, published on 30 September 2025, include requirements for registered providers to take appropriate steps to ensure that relevant staff have the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience, as well as “exhibiting the behaviours needed” for their roles. Registered providers should have a written policy setting out their approach to the learning and development of their staff and to “adopt or develop an appropriate code of conduct for those of their staff who are relevant individuals and to ensure this is embedded within their organisation”.
https://www.housing.org.uk/resources/the-competence-and-conduct-standard/
https://www.thefpa.co.uk/news/qualifications-to-be-the-core-of-professionalising-social-housing
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Do you take the lead in a circular construction economy?
Help us develop and expand this wiki as a resource for academia and industry alike.
Warm Homes Plan Workforce Taskforce
Risks of undermining UK’s energy transition due to lack of electrotechnical industry representation, says ECA.
Cost Optimal Domestic Electrification CODE
Modelling retrofits only on costs that directly impact the consumer: upfront cost of equipment, energy costs and maintenance costs.
The Warm Homes Plan details released
What's new and what is not, with industry reactions.
Could AI and VR cause an increase the value of heritage?
The Orange book: 2026 Amendment 4 to BS 7671:2018
ECA welcomes IET and BSI content sign off.
How neural technologies could transform the design future
Enhancing legacy parametric engines, offering novel ways to explore solutions and generate geometry.
Key AI related terms to be aware of
With explanations from the UK government and other bodies.
From QS to further education teacher
Applying real world skills with the next generation.
A guide on how children can use LEGO to mirror real engineering processes.
Data infrastructure for next-generation materials science
Research Data Express to automate data processing and create AI-ready datasets for materials research.
Wired for the Future with ECA; powering skills and progress
ECA South Wales Business Day 2025, a day to remember.
AI for the conservation professional
A level of sophistication previously reserved for science fiction.
Biomass harvested in cycles of less than ten years.
An interview with the new CIAT President
Usman Yaqub BSc (Hons) PCIAT MFPWS.
Cost benefit model report of building safety regime in Wales
Proposed policy option costs for design and construction stage of the new building safety regime in Wales.
Do you receive our free biweekly newsletter?
If not you can sign up to receive it in your mailbox here.