Hackitt to Chair Building Safety Panel

Summary

Dame Judith Hackitt will chair a new panel focusing on improving local authority building control. This appointment comes after the government’s response to the Grenfell Inquiry’s phase two report. Hackitt, who chaired the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety following the Grenfell fire, will lead a team of industry leaders to address critical building safety issues.

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** Main Story**

Alright, let’s dive into this new development with Dame Judith Hackitt leading the charge on building safety, specifically focusing on local authority building control. It’s a pretty big deal, and frankly, much needed. This appointment, announced by Building Safety Minister Alex Norris back on April 1st, 2025, is a direct response to the Grenfell Inquiry’s phase two report. The government seems keen to make some serious changes, and fast.

Why Hackitt? Experience Speaks Volumes

So, why Dame Judith Hackitt? Well, it’s simple, she’s incredibly experienced and knowledgeable about building safety. Remember the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety after the Grenfell Tower fire? She chaired it. Those reports, especially “Building a Safer Future,” caused a real stir and sparked a lot of reforms. And it wasn’t just a one-off thing for her; she’s still chairing the Industry Safety Steering Group (ISSG) and is always at industry events. I saw her speak at the CIOB’s Sir James Wates lecture in December 2024, and she didn’t pull any punches when talking about businesses trying to dodge safety regulations. Honestly, it was refreshing to see such a firm commitment.

The Skills Gap: A Major Hurdle

But it’s not all smooth sailing, is it? Minister Norris also brought up a crucial point, the skills gap. He’s talking about a shortage of qualified building control professionals, people who aren’t influenced by conflicts of interest. Seems obvious but, building control needs good people. Sure, there’s been investment in training, but apparently it’s not enough. What do you do if people aren’t applying for these roles? He believes building control can be a great career, but, let’s be honest, attracting and keeping talent is tough, particularly with the current demographics of the workforce. In short, we need more skilled people, and fast. The worry, of course, is what happens if the environment is not safe, and its a fair worry.

A Timeline of Change: UK Building Regulations

Now, let’s take a quick look at how building regulations have been changing in the UK. It’s been a busy few years.

• June 2022: New rules came in to cut CO2 emissions in new buildings. Think of it as a step towards the Future Homes and Buildings Standard. Important for net zero, or so they say.

• October 2023: This was a big one. The Building Safety Act 2022 started to kick in. We got new dutyholder roles for everyone involved in construction projects. Also, new building control systems and rules for high-risk buildings. And who could forget the “golden thread” of information? You know, keeping detailed records throughout a building’s life.

• October 2023 – April 2024: More rules for high-risk buildings, including mandatory registration of high-rise residential buildings. It’s all about making sure those buildings are as safe as possible.

Looking Ahead: Building Control is Key

So, what’s the takeaway? Well, Hackitt’s appointment shows that building control is still a top priority. The UK still has some work to do in terms of trust, but it has to continue improving building practices; we want a safer future for everyone. Her leadership and the panel’s recommendations are crucial for the future of building safety in the UK. Because it is crucial to ensure that we have buildings that keep everyone safe and well. Ultimately, isn’t that what really matters? And, I mean, rebuilding public trust is just as important.