1. Responsibility for all fire functions moves to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)

On 1 April 2025 MHCLG confirmed the transfer of all ministerial responsibilities relating to fire functions from the Home Office to MHCLG, a change which delivers one of the key recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry's Phase 2 report, that fire and building safety should be overseen by a single department.

2. Waking Watch Replacement Fund 2023

On 11 April 2025 the Government announced that additional funds of up to £21.11 million are being made available, increasing the total sum available to £41.71 million, and extending the Waking Watch Replacement Fund 2023 to March 2026.

The Waking Watch Replacement Fund 2023 was introduced to support the instillation of common alarm systems in all residential buildings replacing the existing waking watch measures.

3. Committee for Housing's letter to MHCLG

On 14 May 2025, the Committee for Housing wrote to the Secretary of State to express concerns for building safety and the government's response to the Grenfell Tower Enquiry.

The letter covers a range of issues, including the Committee's concern about the shortage of sufficiently qualified building control and fire safety professionals. In particular, the letter states "…delays in the ability of the Building Safety Regulator to sign off … must be addressed as a priority…"

4. Supreme Court decision in URS Corporation Limited v BDW Trading Limited

On 21 May 2025, the Supreme Court handed down its much anticipated decision in URS Corporation Limited v BDW Trading Limited. The judgment provides guidance on the duties owed, it also provides clarification on the extended limitation periods introduced by the Building Safety Act 2022, the application of the Defective Premises Act 1972 and the circumstances in which a claim for contribution can be made under the Civil Liability (Contribution) Act 1978. All issues which regularly arise in building safety litigation. Our article summarising the key parts of the decision can be found here.

5. Publication of quarterly performance data from the Building Safety Regular

When answering a question tabled to MHCLG on 21 May 2025, the Minister for Housing, Alex Norris MP, confirmed that from this quarter, BSR will be publishing quarterly data demonstrating the volumes of applications received, recorded outcomes and decision times for determination. At the time of writing, the data has yet to be made available, but we hope to provide a link to the first publication in our next update.

6. Progress report on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 2 recommendations

At the beginning of June, the government published its first progress report on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 2 recommendations. The government intends to publish this report quarterly until all of the Inquiry's recommendations have been implemented. The report says that the overall timeline for delivery of the recommendations will be set out in September's edition, but the government expects it will take at least four years for all recommendations to be completed.

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.