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Competence ‘still a huge challenge’ post-Grenfell, says Hackitt-led group
Competence in the housing and construction sector is “still a huge challenge” and there is “a lack of widespread, proactive leadership” on building safety, a government-commissioned report scrutinising progress towards change post-Grenfell has said.
The Industry Safety Steering Group (ISSG), chaired by Dame Judith Hackett, has published its second report setting out its views on the progress the industry is making to implement changes to building safety.
As part of the report, the group has published a number of case studies demonstrating good practice in the industry, but warned that “not all in the industry have embedded good practices and embraced the changes required to ensure the safety of buildings”.
The group said it was “surprised by the lack of emergence of a visible and effective leadership group to develop a unified view and commitment across all sections of the construction industry in relation to driving improved quality and safety”.
Members of the ISSG include Elaine Bailey, former chief executive of Hyde Housing; Fayann Simpson, resident board member at L&Q; and Nick Coombe, protection vice-chair at the National Fire Chiefs Council.
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Concerns were also raised about the potential impact of COVID-19 on the construction sector, with fears that “the expected economic downturn could result in corners being cut once more and commercial pressures being used as the excuse for further poor practice and delay”.
While the group criticised parts of the sector for failing to provide leadership, a number of bodies were singled out for praise including the National Housing Federation, Vistry Partnerships, Salix Housing Association and Salford City Council.
The report comes more than two years after Dame Judith published the final report from her review into building regulations and fire safety following the Grenfell Tower fire.
In her report, Dame Judith criticised the construction industry for engaging in a “race to the bottom” and called for a new regulatory body to be set up to oversee the safety of buildings.
The government recently confirmed the introduction of a new Building Safety Regulator as part of the draft Building Safety Bill that was published last month.
The ISSG’s first report, published in July 2019, concluded that progress towards change had been slow across the building industry.
In a letter sent to Dame Judith following the publication of today’s ISSG report, minister for building safety Lord Greenhalgh said: “The publication of the draft Building Safety Bill has now provided further clarity to industry on what is expected.
“It is vital that the industry is preparing and making these changes now, and I thank you for your support in driving this through the ISSG.”
