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Dame Judith Hackitt named as government advisor for new building safety regulator
Dame Judith Hackitt, who authored the post-Grenfell review that called for a major overhaul of fire and building safety regulations, has been named as government advisor for its new building safety regulator.
Dame Judith, who published her independent review of building regulations and fire safety last May, will provide advice to housing secretary Robert Jenrick on the creation and operation of the new regulator. She will advise ministers on this by the end of autumn.
The idea of a new regulatory body to oversee the safety of buildings was first put forward in Dame Judith’s report in May last year.
Earlier this month, as part of the Queen’s Speech, the government confirmed plans to introduce a new building safety regulator, as well as implement all of Dame Judith’s 53 recommendations.
The regulator will oversee the design and management of buildings, with a focus on ensuring that the new regime is applied to higher-risk buildings.
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It will also be given powers to apply criminal sanctions to building owners that fail to meet regulations under the new regime.
Inside Housing reported earlier this year that the legislation is expected to be in place in 2021.
The changes put forward as part of the Queen’s Speech were described by Mr Jenrick as the “biggest reforms to the building safety regime for 40 years”.
The reforms also included the creation of a New Homes Ombudsman that developers of new homes would be made to join and the introduction of a "stronger tenant voice" in the building safety process.
Mr Jenrick said: “I am grateful that Dame Judith has agreed to advise my department on the new building safety regulator.
“Her expertise will be essential to forming a strong regulator with teeth to ensure all residents are safe, and feel safe, in their homes both now and in the future.”
The decision to appoint Dame Judith comes two days before Sir Martin Moore-Bick, chair of the Grenfell Inquiry, is set to publish his first phase report looking into the events of the night of the fire.
The phase one report will largely focus on the events on the night of the fire. It is widely understood that the London Fire Brigade is braced for censure during the fire, with officers of all ranks already warned that they will be criticised in the report.
