In this quarterly update, we aim to summarise the latest publications and round up developments in Building Safety news since our June 2026 update.
1. Single Construction Regulator - Government response published
On 9 July 2026, the Government published its response to the consultation on the proposed Single Construction Regulator. The proposal comes from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry's recommendation to create a single regulator to address fragmentation across the construction sector and providing transparent oversight of building safety risks.
The Government confirmed that the new regulator will be built on the foundations of the Building Safety Regulator ("BSR") and will bring together a range of existing regulatory functions, including oversight of construction products. The aim is to improve accountability, strengthen protections for residents and building users, and provide a more coherent and joined-up regulatory framework across the construction lifecycle.
The Government intends to establish the regulator through primary legislation with further details on its structure and implementation expected in due course.
2. Consultation on emergency repairs under the higher-risk building regime
On 9 July 2026, the Government launched a consultation on changes to the emergency repairs provisions for higher-risk buildings ("HRBs"). The consultation follows concerns that the current regime is preventing some urgent safety works from progressing quickly enough and has created uncertainty over what qualifies as an emergency repair.
The Government is seeking views on expanding the scope of the existing emergency repairs route to cover a wider range of emergency works, as well as introducing a separate process for certain urgent safety-critical works that need to proceed more quickly than the standard Gateway 2 approval timeframe. The consultation also considers whether some works could be self-certified through a Competent Person Scheme and what additional guidance may be required.
The consultation closed on 3 September 2026. If implemented, the proposals are intended to improve proportionality within the HRB regime while ensuring that essential safety works can be carried out without unnecessary delay.
3. BSR to introduce a more proportionate approach to building assessment certificates
On 9 July 2026, the BSR announced plans to adopt a more proportionate and targeted approach to the building assessment certificate ("BAC") regime for occupied higher-risk buildings. The changes follow feedback from principal accountable persons ("PAPs"), financial institutions and other stakeholders, and are intended to improve the efficiency of the assessment process while maintaining building safety standards.
Under the proposal, the BSR will prioritise applications already under assessment, limit new call-ins while revised processes are developed, and explore fast-track reassessments for buildings that have previously been refused a certificate once deficiencies have been addressed. The BSR also intends to provide greater support to resident-led PAPs and reduce unnecessary costs for residents and leaseholders.
Importantly, the BSR emphasised that the legal duties imposed on PAPs and accountable persons under the Building Safety Act 2022 remain unchanged. The announcement is therefore aimed at improving the operation of the BAC regime, rather than altering the underlying building safety obligations.
4. New cladding remediation funding for buildings under 11 metres
On 9 July 2026, the Government announced new funding for eligible residential buildings under 11 metres through an expansion of the Cladding Safety Scheme, administered by Homes England. The funding is intended to support remediation where unsafe cladding presents a serious life-critical fire safety risk and delivers a commitment made in the Remediation Acceleration Plan Update 2025.
Funding will be allocated on a risk-based basis, with priority given to buildings presenting the highest cladding fire safety risks. Eligibility will depend on a PAS 9980-compliant Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls identifying unsafe cladding requiring remediation. The scheme is available to both private and social housing buildings containing two or more dwellings.
Applications are due to open on 17 August 2026 for an eight-week period. The announcement addresses a long-standing gap in remediation support for a limited number of lower-rise buildings with significant fire safety defects.
5. Telecommunications work under the higher-risk building regime
On 9 July 2026, the Government published its response to the consultation on telecommunications work under the higher-risk building regime. The consultation considered whether the existing building control requirements for certain telecommunications works, including fibre optic cabling and mobile communications masts, were proportionate within the higher-risk building regime.
The Government concluded that changes should be made to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens while maintaining building safety standards. The proposals are intended to make it easier for routine telecommunications works to proceed without being subject to the same level of regulatory control as more complex or safety-critical building works.
The response forms part of the Government's wider programme of refining the higher-risk building regime to ensure that regulatory oversight remains targeted and proportionate.
6. Directions for telecommunications-related building work
On 9 July 2026, the Government published directions under the Building Act 1984 for telecommunications related building work. The directions introduce dispensations from certain building control procedural requirements for specified telecommunications works in existing buildings, including the installation of fibre optic cabling and, in higher-risk buildings, rooftop mobile communications masts. The changes follow the Government's consultation on improving proportionality in relation to telecommunications works.
The dispensations will come into force on 1 September 2026. For fibre optic cabling works, the directions remove certain approval requirements where the work is limited to drilling small holes through walls for cable installation. Similar dispensations will apply to the installation of mobile communications masts on the rooftops of existing higher-risk buildings.
The Government emphasised that the directions do not alter the underlying requirement to comply with the Building Regulations 2010, including applicable fire safety, weatherproofing, soundproofing and competence requirements.
7. Categorisation of higher-risk building work - government response
On 9 July 2026, the Government published its response to the consultation on categorisation of higher-risk building work. The consultation considered proposals to improve the proportionality of the higher-risk building control regime by revising the distinction between Category A and Category B works in existing higher-risk buildings.
The Government recognised concerns that the current regime can impose disproportionate documentation requirements for some lower-risk works and confirmed its intention to amend the categorisation of certain building works to better reflect their scale and complexity. The aim is to ensure that regulatory oversight remains focused on safety-critical works while reducing unnecessary administrative burdens on applicants.
The Government emphasised that a more proportionate approach is not intended to reduce safety standards, and that BSR approval will continue to be required before most higher-risk building work can commence.
8. Grenfell Tower Inquiry Government progress report: September 2026
On 10 September 2026, the Government published its latest progress report on implementing the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations. The report confirms that 30 of 61 recommendations have now been completed, with the Government aiming to implement the remaining recommendations by the end of 2029.
The update highlights progress on building safety reforms, including work towards a Single Construction Regulator, reforms to construction products regulation, and the review of Approved Document B. It also outlines measures to improve professional competence, fire safety guidance and fire and rescue service training.
The report further notes progress on emergency preparedness, resilience planning and support for vulnerable residents, including reforms relating to evacuation planning and Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (RPEEPs). The Government states that work continues across all remaining recommendations.
9. Implications of the Building Safety Levy for building control procedure
On 10 September 2026, the Government published guidance ahead of the introduction of the Building Safety Levy on 1 October 2026. The guidance reminds local authorities and building control professionals of the existing building control requirements that apply to new residential developments and explains how the levy may affect applications.
The guidance confirms that certain projects, including many new dwellings, require full plans building control approval rather than building notices, and highlights related duties for developments fronting private streets. The Government also anticipates increased application volumes before the levy starts and reminds authorities that dangerous building applications under section 77 of the Building Act 1984 must be made to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), not the magistrates’ court.
10. Fire Risk Appraisals of External Walls (FRAEWs)
On 14 September 2026, the Government published a suite of guidance on Fire Risk Appraisals of External Walls (FRAEWs) for residential buildings in England. The guidance explains when an FRAEW may be required, how it should be carried out, and the role it plays in assessing the risk of fire spread through external wall systems.
The guidance is aimed at building owners, managing agents, responsible persons, and residents. It covers commissioning a FRAEW, appointing competent assessors, understanding risk ratings, and reviewing FRAEW reports and executive summaries. The documents emphasise a proportionate, risk-based approach focused on life safety.
The Government also explains that a FRAEW does not replace a fire risk assessment and forms part of a wider fire safety framework. The guidance sets out what residents should expect from the process and highlights that any recommended mitigation or remediation works should be proportionate to the level of risk identified.
DAC Beachcroft has a dedicated building safety team with extensive experience advising all stakeholders on how best to prepare for, manage and mitigate the implications of the Building Safety Act and associated legislation. As well as proactive advice on how the legislation affects commercial interests, we help our clients navigate the risks in procurement and contract management, legacy claims, extended exposures under the Act, construction products, commercial disputes and insurance issues. We also offer bespoke training on how the Building Safety Act impacts across the industry.
