CIH response to the government's final Grenfell Inquiry response

The government’s response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report is an important step in tackling longstanding failures in building safety, regulation, and resident protections. We welcome the commitment to delivering all recommendations and recognise the significant steps already taken across the sector to improve safety, accountability, and resident engagement. However, ensuring these changes lead to real improvements for residents, landlords, and the sector will require continued scrutiny, collaboration, and a sustained focus on cultural change, alongside appropriate funding to support reform and building safety improvement.

The government has announced key reforms, including a new Construction Regulator and stronger accountability for product safety. Steps to improve tenant safety and engagement include new Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (RPEEPs) and expanded training through Four Million Homes. Wider reforms also address fire and rescue service culture. We also welcome the government’s continued commitment to both the Competence and Conduct Standard and mandatory qualifications for social housing staff. To support effective implementation, social landlords need certainty, and we urge the government to provide final details and timelines for these measures soon.

Since 2017, significant reforms have addressed urgent building and fire safety failures, alongside changes in social housing regulation and emergency response. The government’s response builds on this progress, reinforcing the importance of strengthened resident engagement, professionalisation, and regulatory oversight.

We welcome the recognition that residents must be at the heart of the built environment’s design, construction, and maintenance. Treating residents with dignity, ensuring access to redress, and genuinely listening to their voices are essential to rebuilding trust and driving lasting change in social housing.

CIH will continue to review the government’s response in full and provide further analysis for our members. In the meantime, our "What You Need to Know" guide offers a summary of the key issues, and a recording of our recent webinar is also available for further insight.

Government response:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/grenfell-tower-inquiry-phase-2-report-government-response