Government departments responsibility for construction
This article sets out the responsibilities of central government departments for different aspects of the construction industry.
[edit] HM Treasury
Cabinet office:
- Efficiency and Reform Group (ERG).
- Major Projects Authority (MPA).
- Government Construction Strategy.
- Government Construction Board.
- Government Property Agency (GPA).
- Office of Government Property.
Infrastructure and Projects Authority (formerly Infrastructure UK):
[edit] Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
- Health and Safety Executive (HSE), a non-departmental public body (NDPB).
- Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM).
[edit] Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
- Building regulations.
- Building safety.
- Planning permission.
- Planning policy.
- Homes England.
- Fire and Rescue Service.
- Architecture (transferred from DCMS in April 2015)
For more information see: Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
[edit] Home Office
For more information see: Home Office.
[edit] Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
- Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), an independent regulator for England and Wales.
- Environment Agency (EA), a non-departmental public body (NDPB).
- Natural England, a non-departmental public body (NDPB).
[edit] Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)
- Historic England, a non-departmental public body (NDPB).
[edit] Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
Formerly the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) and the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS)
- Energy saving and climate change policy.
- BIM Task Group.
- Construction Sector Unit.
- Green Construction Board.
- Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS).
- Technology Strategy Board (TSB), a non-departmental public body (NDPB).
- Construction 2025 (jointly with industry).
In 2023, BEIS was split into three new departments, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and the Department for Business and Trade. For more information see: UK department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy split into three new departments
[edit] Local Authorities
[edit] Devolution
- Following devolution in the UK, responsibility for many aspects of construction industry policy, oversight and regulation have been passed to the authorities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. See UK for more information. This includes building regulations and planning policy.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Arm's length body ALB.
- Composition of UK construction industry 2013.
- Construction 2025.
- Construction knowledge.
- Construction industry institutes and associations.
- Construction industry reports.
- Crown estate.
- Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
- Devolution.
- Fragmentation of the UK construction industry.
- Government Construction Strategy.
- Home office.
- Local authority.
- Office of Government Property.
- Other construction industry organisations.
- Planning policy.
- Public authority.
- Public body.
- Public contracting authority.
- STBA report to provide blueprint for post-COVID recovery.
- UK.
- UK construction industry.
Featured articles and news
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.
Comments