The Industry and Regulators Committee is seeking industry views on the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) as part of its inquiry into its work, skills, and resourcing levels
The House of Lords Industry and Regulatory Committee has launched an inquiry into building safety regulations, with a particular focus on the work of the Building Safety Regulator.
The BSR has come under increasing criticism from sections of the construction industry over the length of time Gateway applications are taking to approve, as the BSR looks to establish an effective working method.
The Committee is seeking evidence from across the sector, including building industry specialists, housing associations, architects, resident groups, safety experts, local authorities, and other relevant stakeholders. The Committee have set out a number of questions to outline the remit of their areas of interest, including:
- has the introduction of the BSR improved the safety of the buildings it is responsible for?
- does the Building Safety Regulator’s regulatory framework strike the right balance between providing a holistic, outcomes-based view of safety and ensuring that developers and building owners understand what they are required to do?
- what impacts could the framework have on the delivery of the Government’s housing targets?
- to what extent are delays in approvals for high-rise buildings down to the regulatory processes used by the BSR?
- are the BSR’s approval processes sufficiently clear and understandable to developers?
- does the BSR have access to the skilled staff necessary to carry out multidisciplinary assessments of safety?
- is the relationship between the BSR and building control authorities and inspectors working well?
- how does the Building Safety Regulator’s work relate to the regulation of construction products?
- how does the Building Safety Regulator’s regulatory framework compare to how building safety is assured in other countries and jurisdictions?
Baroness Taylor of Bolton, Chair of the Industry and Regulators Committee, said:
“The safety of residents in higher-risk buildings was at the heart of the Building Safety Regulator being set up in 2022.
“The Committee wants to hear from all stakeholders to find out if the BSR has the skills and resources required to ensure the safety of all buildings and its residents in the process of approving applications for high-rise buildings.
“This is crucial if the Government is going to achieve its manifesto target of building 1.5 million homes over the next Parliament.”
The Committee has put out a call for evidence, inviting those with a view to submit written contributions to its inquiry by Sunday 31 August 2025. The timeline for the Committee’s inquiry is outlined as holding public evidence sessions between June and September, with an aim to report to the House in the autumn.