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The government has published its first annual Grenfell report setting out progress against the recommendations made in Sir Martin Moore-Bick’s phase two report and confirmed that a consultation on the proposal for a new College of Fire will be launched in May.
This comes on the same that draft legislation was laid in Parliament to provide the legal basis for funding the creation of a memorial to the 72 people who died in the Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017. In November, the government announced details of the team who will design the memorial.
The 98-page annual report covers the 58 recommendations made by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry in September 2024. The government anticipates that 70% of the recommendations will be closed by the end of 2026. A dashboard sets out the status of the recommendations in a new approach that government is taking to increase transparency and ownership of recommendations from public inquiries.
One of the recommendations echoed calls from HMICFRS for the creation of a College of Fire. Last year, the government established a college of fire and rescue task and finish group, under the Ministerial Advisory Group for Fire and Rescue Reform, to advise on the potential form and functions of the college. Through this work, the group has identified the potential functions, the basis of an appropriate delivery model and funding regime. This will form the basis of a government green paper to consult on proposals that is due to be published, subject to ministerial agreement, in May.
Setting out the work that’s taken place to improve the safety regime relating to high rise buildings, the government has also published a white paper focused on the construction products regime. It sets out the government’s vision ‘for long-term construction products reform to create a trusted, proportionate regulatory system that ensures safe construction products, safely used.’
Work to dismantle Grenfell Tower continues with the latest update confirming that the crane installed last summer has now been lowered and the banners at the crown of the tower have moved down the building. Beams of light shine from each corner of the building and on the green heart banners each evening.
Read the full report – Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report Government Response: Annual Report 2026.
Read more – Government outlines sensitive approach to carefully dismantle Grenfell Tower.
