Newly appointed building control panel to report in Autumn

Setting up the panel delivers on a Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendation that was accepted by the government.

The panel is being chaired by Dame Judith Hackitt, who led the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety. 

She is joined by four experts with extensive experience in the regulation and use of the building control sector: Elaine Bailey, Ken Rivers, Rt Hon Nick Raynsford and Dr David Snowball. The panel's review of building control will include considering the issue of commerical incentives from the system and exploring alternative options and approaches.

Minister for Building Safety, Alex Norris MP, said:

The appointment of this independent panel is a significant step in our response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. We need a building control system that puts safety first and supports our plans to accelerate remediation. It must also help to deliver 1.5 million safe, high-quality homes over this Parliament, and be equipped to meet the demands of a modern construction sector.  

Their work will play a vital role in shaping a safer, more accountable building industry, and I look forward to receiving the panel’s recommendations as they take this important work forward.

The panel has been appointed to look at whether changes are required following concerns raised by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, especially around conflicts of interest in the system.  The Inquiry recommended that the Government establish an independent panel to consider whether to remove commercial interest from building control and whether to move to a national authority decision model. 

Government is to respond to the panel’s report before the end of the year.