The Government plans to introduce laws to ‘implement new building safety standards’ in order to prevent a repeat of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, according to the Queen’s speech.
A new building safety regulator will ensure that developers and landlords comply with new safety standards, particularly those affecting high-rise buildings.
The new framework builds on Dame Judith Hackitt’s independent review of building safety in the wake of the Grenfell fire which killed 72 residents of a high-rise building in North London.
The Government says it will introduce ‘clearer accountability’ and ‘stronger duties’ for developers and landlords, while giving residents a stronger voice in the system.
It also aims to strengthen enforcement and sanctions to deter non-compliance of the new regulations.
A consultation exercise on the proposal for a new building safety regulator was launched in June and lasted eight weeks. This drew criticism from the Chartered Institute of Housing which argued it should have gone on for 12 weeks.
