Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report: Progress Report

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report was published in September 2024. This report set out a thorough review of the causes and circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

In July 2025 the Welsh Government published its response. This report evidences the progress being made on implementing the recommendations and next steps. 

We continue to work closely with other UK governments to ensure alignment both on recommendations relating to reserved matters and on devolved matters where it makes sense to take a UK-wide approach.

This work is underway alongside our comprehensive programme to transform building safety in Wales. Central to the Welsh Government reforms is the Building Safety (Wales) Bill, which will establish a robust regulatory framework to address some of the systemic failings identified by the Inquiry. The safety and wellbeing of people in their homes will aways be our priority.

We anticipate that we will publish our next progress update during autumn 2026.

This report provides a summary of work that has been done to date on the recommendations. Grouped by the themes of the Inquiry:

• The construction industry
• Fire and rescue services
• Emergency preparedness, response and recovery
• Vulnerable people and Phase 1 recommendations

Recommendation 1

Recommendation

That the government draw together under a single regulator all the functions relating to the construction industry to which we have referred.

Progress Update 

The Welsh Government continues to value shared approaches - such as joint registers for contractors and fire safety professionals, consistent monitoring of building regulations, improved information‑sharing, and a unified public library of safety data. The Welsh Government has been in discussion with UK Government and other devolved governments about the creation of a construction regulator, that could support the regulation of construction across the UK whilst respecting devolved powers.

We are undertaking a review of the role of the Building Regulations Advisory Committee for Wales (BRACW) to ensure it aligns with future regulatory arrangements and continues to safeguard Welsh interests.

Next Steps

We are currently considering the UK Government’s Single Construction Regulator prospectus and the accompanying consultation. We will engage with the UK Government once the consultation has concluded and work collaboratively to ensure that any proposals fully take into account the needs and circumstances of Wales.

We expect to complete our review into BRACW when the new Welsh Government is in place following the forthcoming Senedd election.

Recommendation 2

Recommendation

That the definition of a higher-risk building for the purposes of the Building Safety Act be reviewed urgently.

Progress Update

We remain committed to keeping the current definition of a “higher-risk building” under ongoing review and to considering whether a broader or more inclusive interpretation may be appropriate in the future. As part of this, we continue to closely monitor developments in the UK Government and other devolved governments. We note that England has published its initial review, and that Scotland is currently conducting its own review, which we are also monitoring. Any potential changes in these jurisdictions may have significant implications for the regulation of the building control profession.

At this stage, we do not intend to make any changes to the current definition under the Building Safety Act 2022. Given the timing of the introduction of the new regulations in Wales, it is important that these have the opportunity to bed in and that industry has time to assess their effectiveness before any significant amendments to the definition of a Higher-Risk Building (HRB) are considered. We will, of course, remain alert to any dramatic or compelling new evidence that may arise.

Next Steps

Once we have completed our assessment of England’s initial review and the work underway in Scotland, we will fully consider whether a Wales‑specific review of the current definition is appropriate. We anticipate being in a position to confirm our next steps by late 2026.

Recommendation 3

Recommendation

That the government bring responsibility for the functions relating to fire safety currently exercised by MHCLG, the Home Office and the Department for Business and Trade into one department under a single Secretary of State.

This recommendation is directed at the UK Government, and it has accepted it in full. 

In Wales all fire safety matters are the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government.

Recommendation 4

Recommendation

That the Secretary of State appoint a Chief Construction Adviser with a sufficient budget and staff to provide advice on all matters affecting the construction industry, including:

• monitoring all aspects of the department’s work relating to Building Regulations and statutory guidance
• providing advice to the Secretary of State on request and
• bringing to the attention of the Secretary of State any matters affecting the Building Regulations and statutory guidance or matters affecting the construction industry more generally of which the government should be aware

Progress Update 

Welsh Government officials continue to engage with UK Government and meet with counterparts from the UK Government and the interim Chief Construction Advisor to discuss the development of the role across the four nations.

Next Steps

Over the next 12 months, we will determine whether Wales should appoint its own Chief Construction Adviser, mirroring the approach being taken in Scotland, or whether alternative governance arrangements, such as expanding the remit of BRACW, would better meet our needs. 

The Welsh Government will determine the preferred approach within the next Senedd term, taking into account the wider context of the UK Government’s position. It will also recognise the need for continued collaboration with devolved governments, alongside the requirement to operate within the boundaries of matters that remain reserved to the UK Government.

Recommendations 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12

Recommendations

5: That the statutory guidance generally, and Approved Document B in particular, be reviewed accordingly and a revised version published as soon as possible.

6: That a revised version of the guidance contain a clear warning in each section that the legal requirements are contained in the Building Regulations and that compliance with the guidance will not necessarily result in compliance with them.

7: New materials and methods of construction and the practice of overcladding existing buildings make the existence of effective compartmentation a questionable assumption and we recommend that it be reconsidered when Approved Document B is revised.

8: Calculating the likely rate of fire spread and the time required for evacuation, including the evacuation of those with physical or mental impairments, are matters for a qualified fire engineer. We do not think that it would be helpful to attempt to include in Approved Document B an indication of what would be acceptable because each building is different, but we recommend that the guidance draw attention to the need to make a calculation of that kind.

9: That, as far as possible, membership of bodies advising on changes to the statutory guidance should include representatives of the academic community as well as those with practical experience of the industry (including fire engineers) chosen for their experience and skill and should extend beyond those who have served on similar bodies in the past.

12: BS 9414 should be approached with caution and we recommend that the government make it clear that it should not be used as a substitute for an assessment by a suitably qualified fire engineer.

Progress Update

We are working closely with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) and monitoring the development of Approved Document B proposals in England, which will then be considered for future consultation in Wales. 

In relation to Recommendations 5 and 6, the UK Government has convened a panel (which includes a Welsh Government member) to review Building Regulations guidance. Panel meetings began in November 2025 and recommendations from the review are expected within twelve months.

In relation to Recommendation 9, the scope of BRACW is being reviewed. We are currently re‑appointing members and the Chair, after which we will reconsider its remit. 

Next Steps

We are expecting to consult on further Approved Document B changes by the end of this year.

Recommendation 10

Recommendation

That it be made a statutory requirement that a fire safety strategy produced by a registered fire engineer to be submitted with building control applications (at Gateway 2) for the construction or refurbishment of any higher-risk building and for it to be reviewed and re-submitted at the stage of completion (Gateway 3). Such a strategy must take into account the needs of vulnerable people, including the additional time they may require to leave the building or reach a place of safety within it and any additional facilities necessary to ensure their safety.

Progress update

We continue to work closely with the UK Government on this recommendation and attend the fire engineering advisory panel as an observer, which has provided us with valuable, detailed insight into the work currently underway.

Next steps

We will undertake a formal consultation with wider stakeholders to determine the most effective way to incorporate these recommendations into the Gateway processes, once a final decision has been reached on the regulation of the fire engineering profession.

Recommendation 11

Recommendation

Assessing whether an external wall can support a particular evacuation strategy is difficult because the necessary information is not always available. We therefore recommend that steps be taken in conjunction with the professional and academic community to develop new test methods that will provide the information needed for such assessments to be carried out reliably.

Progress Update 

As active members of several British Standards Institution (BSI) panels and the Building Advisory Committee (BAC) Part B Fire Safety Working Group, we monitor progress through these channels. It is expected that the BSR in England will shortly publish a consultation on further changes to Approved Document B. 

Next Steps

We will review the BSR’s consultation proposals and look to consider for inclusion in our review of Approved Document B later this year. 

Recommendations 13 and 14

Recommendation

13.That the construction regulator should be responsible for assessing the conformity of construction products with the requirements of legislation, statutory guidance and industry standards and issuing certificates as appropriate. We should expect such certificates to become pre-eminent in the market.

• 14. That copies of all test results supporting any certificate issued by the construction regulator be included in the certificate; that manufacturers be required to provide the construction regulator with the full testing history of the product or material to which the certificate relates and inform the regulator of any material circumstances that may affect its performance
• manufacturers be required by law to provide on request copies of all test results that support claims about fire performance made for their products

Progress update

We continue to engage with the UK Government, contributing to the development of future reforms of product regulation and testing regimes. We are part of relevant working groups, to ensure a coherent approach to product certification. MHCLG has recently published a consultation on the new regulator and set out that it’s working with the National Regulator for Construction Products (NRCP) to establish how the regulation of construction products will be delivered through the new regulator. In February 2025, UK Government published the Construction Products Reform Green Paper, which recognised the scale of system-wide challenges and set out the need for further reform to address them. It has committed to bringing forward a Construction Products Reform White Paper by spring 2026, setting out plans for this reform. Any new regulatory functions for construction products from this reform would sit with the construction regulator under the Building Safety Act 2022.

Next steps

We will continue to engage with UK Government and the NRCP to ensure that the proposals set out in the reform white paper meet the needs for Wales.

Recommendations 15, 16, 17 and 18

Recommendations

15: That the profession of fire engineer be recognised and protected by law and that an independent body be established to regulate the profession, define the standards required for membership, maintain a register of members and regulate their conduct.

16: That the government take urgent steps to increase the number of places on high-quality master’s level courses in fire engineering accredited by the professional regulator.

17: That the government convene a group of practitioner and academic fire engineers and such other professionals as it thinks fit to produce an authoritative statement of the knowledge and skills to be expected of a competent fire engineer. Such a statement would also enable others in the construction industry to understand better the nature and importance of a fire engineer’s work.

18: That the government, working in collaboration with industry and professional bodies, encourage the development of courses in the principles of fire engineering for construction professionals and members of the fire and rescue services as part of their continuing professional development.

Progress update

With the UK Government and BSR leading on the work flowing from these recommendations, we continue to participate actively in the relevant panels to ensure devolved interests are fully considered throughout this work. Welsh Government were represented on the Fire Engineers Advisory Panel established by the UK Government to develop the authoritative statement, and officials are engaged in ongoing discussions and future work in this area.

Next steps

We will continue to actively engage with this work to help ensure the resulting framework is fit for purpose across the whole of the UK, including Wales.

Recommendation 19

Recommendation

We recognise that both the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) have taken steps since the Grenfell Tower fire to improve the education and training of architects. We recommend that they should review the changes already made to ensure they are sufficient in the light of our findings.

Progress update

We have established communication with UK Government on this recommendation to ascertain progress undertaken to date. 

Next steps

We will monitor and take any necessary actions specific to Wales with the ARB and RIBA if needed.

Recommendation 20

Recommendation

That it be made a statutory requirement that an application for building control approval in relation to the construction or refurbishment of a higher-risk building (Gateway 2) be supported by a statement from a senior manager of the principal designer under the Building Safety Act 2022 that all reasonable steps have been taken to ensure that on completion the building as designed will be as safe as is required by the Building Regulations.

Progress update

Last year we consulted on changes to implement this recommendation. The Welsh Government published a summary of responses and its response to the consultation in November 2025. 

The Welsh Government has laid the Building (Higher-Risk Buildings Procedures) (Wales) Regulations 2025 before the Senedd. These regulations include the requirement for a statement to be included in the application that the work comprised in the stage to which the application relates would comply with all applicable requirements of the building regulations

Next steps

The above regulations, which will come into force on 1 July 2026, introduce a stringent new building control system for higher-risk buildings in Wales, including the mandatory "Gateway 2" approval process.

Recommendation 21

Recommendation

That a licensing scheme operated by the construction regulator be introduced for principal contractors wishing to undertake the construction or refurbishment of higher-risk buildings and that it be a legal requirement that any application for building control approval for the construction or refurbishment of a higher-risk building (Gateway 2) be supported by a personal undertaking from a director or senior manager of the principal contractor to take all reasonable care to ensure that on completion and handover the building is as safe as is required by the Building Regulations.

Progress update

We are working with the UK Government on reviewing the dutyholder scheme. The outcome of this review will inform whether a licencing scheme for principal contractors working on high-risk buildings should be established. It is likely an overarching strategy for the built environment professions will be published in spring 2027 by UK Government.

Next steps

We are continuing discussions with the BSR and UK Government on how these plans progress.

Recommendations 22 and 23 

Recommendations

22: That the government appoint an independent panel to consider whether it is in the public interest for building control functions to be performed by those who have a commercial interest in the process.

23: We recommend that the same panel consider whether all building control functions should be performed by a national authority.

Progress update

We are observing and learning from the work of the UK Government’s Building Control Independent Panel (BCIP), and the work of the UK Government in response to the panel’s recommendations, to inform our approach and ensure alignment where appropriate.

The Welsh Government has separately commissioned reviews into the current mixed market approach to building control delivery in Wales. The review will consider whether this approach to continues to be the most appropriate and effective means of ensuring public safety.

Next Steps

Local Partnerships are currently undertaking the reviews of the mixed market approach to building control, with a report due in Spring 2026.

Recommendation 24

Recommendation

We have referred to the Cladding Materials Library set up by the University of Queensland, which could form the basis of a valuable source of information for designers of buildings in general. We recommend that the construction regulator sponsor the development of a similar library, perhaps as part of a joint project with the University of Queensland, to provide a continuing resource for designers.

Progress update

We note that the UK Government has published a consultation and is expected to publish a white paper by Spring 2026. We are closely monitoring this work to ensure it extends to Wales.

Next steps

We will continue to engage with the UK Government and other devolved governments to implement this recommendation.

Recommendation 25

Recommendation

That it be made a legal requirement for the government to maintain a publicly accessible record of recommendations made by select committees, coroners and public inquiries together with a description of the steps taken in response. If the government decides not to accept a recommendation, it should record its reasons for doing so. Scrutiny of its actions should be a matter for Parliament, to which it should be required to report annually.

Progress Update

Work has begun on collating the relevant data for the Grenfell and Covid-19 Public Inquiries, and the Welsh Government is developing a dashboard approach for publishing its public inquiry data similar to that produced by the UK Government. 

Next Steps

The intention is to publish the Grenfell and Covid-19 Public Inquiries dashboards by the end of this Senedd term. When published they will include updates on the recommendations made by the Grenfell Inquiry, and by the Module 1 and Module 2 reports published by the Covid-19 Inquiry.

Recommendation 26

Recommendation

That the government establish a system of mandatory accreditation to certify the competence of fire risk assessors by setting standards for qualification and continuing professional development and such other measures as may be considered necessary or desirable. We think it necessary for an accreditation system to be mandatory in order to ensure the competence of all those who offer their services as fire risk assessors.

Progress Update

The Building Safety (Wales) Bill requires all fire risk assessors for multi-occupied residential buildings to be competent. 

The Bill was introduced into the Senedd in July 2025, and it is expected to receive Royal Assent in April 2026.

British Standard BS8674 provides a single framework for fire risk assessor competence and the basis for the further work on approved qualifications and accreditation schemes. 

Next Steps

The Building Safety (Wales) Bill is expected to receive Royal Assent in April 2026, which will be during the pre-election period ahead of the forthcoming Senedd election. There is an implementation plan in place for regulations under the Bill, subject to agreement by the new Welsh Government.

Recommendation 27

Recommendation

We are not in a position to determine whether greater standardisation of the fire control switches and keys is required. We therefore recommend that the government seeks urgent advice from the Building Safety Regulator and the National Fire Chiefs Council on the nature and scale of the problem and the appropriate response to it.

Progress update

We note that appropriate action has been undertaken by the NFCC, with the UK Government reporting the NFCC has published updated guidance in response to this recommendation. Progress report: the construction industry - –OV.UK 

Recommendation 28

Recommendation

That every gas transporter be required by law to check the accessibility of each such valve on its system at least once every three years and to report the results of that inspection to the Health and Safety Executive as part of its gas safety case review.

Progress update

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has developed a delivery plan which was agreed by its Operations and Regulation Committee in September. The plan aims to provide greater assurance that pipeline isolation valves (PIV) are accessible, and that the interrelationships between all parties is better understood, supported by definitive deliverables.

The HSE is engaging with pipeline operators in Great Britian to establish a clear baseline of pipeline isolation valve access and existing barriers, in consideration of the risk-based inspection approach and processes adopted by the operators. 

Data received from the network operators is being analysed by the HSE to inform targeted engagement with stakeholders who may have an influence over the accessibility of PIVs. 

Next steps

The above will inform targeted stakeholder engagement with interested parties, due to commence from March 2026. 

Following completion of the data analysis in February 2026, HSE will establish a baseline of pipeline access issues. This will inform their targeted stakeholder engagement which will commence from March 2026. The approach, scale and duration of any such engagement will be informed by the data analysis.

We will continue to engage with the HSE on this matter until the recommendation is complete.

Recommendations 29 and 30

Recommendations

29: That the government establish [an independent College of Fire and Rescue] immediately with sufficient resources to provide the following services nationally: 

• practical training at all levels supplementary to that provided by individual fire and rescue services 
• education in the form of lectures and seminars on different aspects of the work of the fire and rescue services in order to share experience and promote good practice 
• research into matters that may affect the work of the fire and rescue services, including major fires 
• the development of equipment, policies and procedures suitable for ensuring the effectiveness of fire and rescue services nationally and the safety of firefighters and the public 
• setting and maintaining national standards of managerial competence for senior managers, including control room managers, and providing management training for, and regular assessment of, senior ranks by reference to such standards. 

30: That [the college] should have a permanent staff of sufficient size to manage its operations and develop its functions in response to the demands of fire and rescue services nationally and the requirements of the board. The college will need access to permanent facilities, including facilities for practical training and education. We envisage that much of the training and education will be delivered and led by firefighters of suitable experience drawn as the occasion requires from fire and rescue services around the country.

Progress Update

The Welsh Government remains fully supportive of the establishment of a College of Fire. A central facility for all UK Fire and Rescue Services would have many benefits. It would ensure a consistent approach to how our firefighters are trained and foster high standards of conduct and leadership across the Service.

Next Steps

We will continue to engage with the UK Government and other devolved governments on its establishment.

Recommendation 31

Recommendation

That His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (“the Inspectorate”) inspect the London Fire Brigade as soon as reasonably possible to assess and report on: 

• the extent to which the control room is now integrated into the organisation 
• the effectiveness of the arrangements for identifying the training needs of control room staff, delivering effective training and recording its outcomes 
• the effectiveness of the control room generally 
• the ability of the control room to handle a large number of concurrent requests for advice and assistance from people directly affected by fires or other emergencies 
• the quality and effectiveness of the arrangements for communication between the control room and the incident commander. (113.55)

Progress update

Although this recommendation is directed at the London Fire Brigade, the Welsh Government wishes to assure itself in respect of these matters. As such, the Chief Fire and Rescue Advisor and Inspector (Wales) (CFRAI (W)) undertook a targeted inspection of the 3 Welsh Fire and Rescue Services to establish what arrangements are in place for assessing the training of fire control personnel and for considering how effective those arrangements are.

Findings and recommendations are set out in a report published by the CFRAI(W) in December 2025. Recommendation 31 of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2: fire control inspection report | GOV.WALES

Next steps

The inspection and report required by this recommendation have been completed. The CFRAI(W) will continue to monitor progress updates against the report recommendations over the next twelve months. 

Recommendation 32

Recommendation

That as soon as reasonably possible the Inspectorate inspect the London Fire Brigade to examine and report on the arrangements it has in place for assessing the training of incident commanders at all levels and their continuing competence, whether by a process of revalidation or otherwise. (113.56)

Progress update

Although this recommendation is directed at the London Fire Brigade, the Welsh Government wishes to assure itself in respect of these matters. As such, the CFRAI(W) has commenced work with the NFCC to review operational doctrine and competency over the next 12 months. Findings and recommendations will be set out in a report from the CFRAI(W).

Recommendation 33

Recommendation

That as soon as reasonably practicable the Inspectorate inspect the LFB to examine and report on its arrangements for collecting, storing and distributing information in accordance with section 7(2)(d) of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004, and in particular its arrangements for identifying high-risk residential buildings and collecting, storing and distributing information relating to them (113.57)

Progress update

Although this recommendation is directed at the London Fire Brigade, the Welsh Government wishes to assure itself in respect of these matters. As such, the CFRAI(W) has written to the three Welsh Chief Fire Officers to request an update on progress against all outstanding Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations.

Next steps

CFRAI(W) will continue to engage with the three Fire and Rescue Services over progress against all outstanding Grenfell Tower Inquiry and Thematic Review recommendations. When developing the new inspection regime, the CFRAI(W) will include a process akin to ‘Engage’ in England whereby the inspectorate deploys enhanced monitoring to ensure recommendations are met in full. 

Recommendations 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and 41

Recommendations

34: That the London Fire Brigade establish effective standing arrangements for collecting, considering and effectively implementing lessons learned from previous incidents, inquests and investigations. Those arrangements should be as simple as possible, flexible and of a kind that will ensure that any appropriate changes in practice or procedure are implemented speedily. 

35: That fire and rescue services that continue to use low power intrinsically safe radios as part of breathing apparatus consider reserving them only for situations in which there is a real risk of igniting flammable gases and generally using radios of higher power, particularly in high-rise buildings. 

36: That all fire and rescue services give consideration to providing all firefighters with digital radios. 

37: Since radio communications are inherently unreliable in certain environments, we recommend that firefighters be trained to respond appropriately to the loss of communications and to understand how to restore them. 

38: That basic training on the structure and operation of the water supply system, including the different types of hydrants in use and their functions, be given to all firefighters. Training should also be given on effective measures to increase water flow and pressure when necessary. 

39: That all fire and rescue services establish and periodically review an agreed protocol with the statutory water undertakers in their areas to enable effective communication between them in relation to the supply of water for firefighting purposes. 

41: That National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) consider whether, and if so in what circumstances, firefighters should be discouraged from departing from their instructions on their own initiative and provide appropriate training in how to respond to a situation of that kind.

Progress Update

The Welsh Government’s new draft National Framework for Fire and Rescue Services was published for consultation late 2025. This set out the need for Wales’s fire and rescue services to act on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s recommendations, as well as other relevant recommendations. 

Next Steps

Consultation on the new National Framework for Fire and Rescue Services has closed, and we plan for the Framework to come into effect before the end of this Senedd term.

As these are operational matters for the fire and rescue services, we will continue to monitor implementation of these recommendations. 

Recommendation 40

Recommendation

That the British Standards Institution amend BS 750 to include a description of the circumstances under which the flow coefficient to which it refers in paragraph 10.2 is to be measured.

Progress update

We note the UK Government’s recent update on action being taken by the BSI, with a consultation expected to be published shortly and the amendment anticipated for the first quarter of 2026. Progress report: fire and rescue services - –OV.UK 

Recommendation 42

Recommendation

That the [Civil Contingencies] Act [2004] be reviewed and consideration be given to granting a designated Secretary of State the power to carry out the functions of a Category 1 responder in its place for a limited period of time.

Progress update

The Welsh Government is working closely with the UK Government on its next implementation review of both the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (CCA) and the Civil Contingencies Act (Planning) Regulations 2005. This review will consider not only this recommendation but also a recommendation to review the CCA in the Covid-19 Inquiry Module 2 Report. 

Whilst the CCA is reserved, the Welsh Government will work with emergency responders via the Wales Resilience Partnership to undertake an assessment on developing Welsh specific civil contingencies regulations, as provided under Part 1 of the CCA. 

Next steps

We will continue to liaise with the UK Government on its preparations to undertake the next statutory implementation review.

Recommendation 43

Recommendation

Regulation 23 of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (Contingency Planning) Regulations 2005 requires a Category 1 responder to have regard when making its plans to the activities of relevant voluntary organisations. We therefore recommend that the regulation be amended to require Category 1 responders to establish and maintain partnerships with the voluntary, community and faith organisations in the areas in which they are responsible for preparing for and responding to emergencies.

Progress update

The UK Government published a response to its “Stronger Partnerships” consultation in December 2025.

A holistic approach to reviewing the civil contingencies legislative framework is required as both the Grenfell Inquiry Report and, in the Covid-19 Inquiry Module 2 Report contain recommendations to review and amend the Act and regulations.

As the Welsh Government will also be assessing the potential to develop Welsh specific regulations under Part 1 of the CCA, we will be liaising with the UK Government to enable a joined up and collaborative approach to this review.

In relation to the potential Welsh specific regulations, we will be working with emergency responders via the Wales Resilience Partnership to ensure their views are incorporated into the review.

Meanwhile we are working with our resilience partners to support them in further developing their relationships with voluntary, community and faith organisations in order to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies.

Next steps

A Task and Finish Group under the Wales Resilience Partnership will support the Welsh Government to undertake a review of the Civil Contingencies Act (Planning) Regulations 2005.

Recommendation 44

Recommendation

The current guidance on preparing for emergencies is contained in several documents, all of which are unduly long and in some respects out of date. We recommend that the guidance be revised, reduced in length and consolidated in one document which lays greater emphasis on the need for those leading the response to consider the requirements for recovery, the need to identify vulnerable people, the importance of identifying and ensuring co-operation with voluntary, community and faith groups and is consistent with the Equality Act 2010.

Progress update

The Wales Resilience Partnership’s work programme for 2026/27 includes a workstream on legislation and guidance to support the Welsh Government in reviewing the suite of existing civil contingencies guidance. This aims to produce a set of evidenced recommendations to build a suite of resilience guidance that meets the needs of partners in Wales.

Work is also ongoing in relation to including within risk assessment, the impacts of risks on vulnerable people, utilising guidance recently produced by the UK Government.

The Welsh Government is also working to expand the range of Priority Services Register data available through the multi-agency JIGSO system to enable partners to provide support to those most in need during an emergency. This supports the Inquiry’s call for clearer, more consistent methods for identifying vulnerable people and ensuring responders can act quickly on reliable data.

Next steps

The Wales Resilience Partnership is establishing a Task & Finish group to bring together responders, third sector organisations and utility companies to consider data sharing issues with the aim of helping partners identify vulnerable and at-risk groups to ensure more specific and tailored support can be prioritised in any incident.

Recommendation 45

Recommendation

That regard for humanitarian considerations be expressly recognised by making it the ninth principle of effective response and recovery.

Progress update

Work is underway to introduce a new crisis management concept of operations within the Welsh Government. This has been designed to provide effective crisis management arrangements for the modern risk landscape.

Our crisis management arrangements also incorporate our relationship with the Independent Public Advocate (IPA), and the role of the IPA in major incidents, which have a significant impact on people.

In addition, our crisis management arrangements also reflect the principle contained in the Charter for Families Bereaved by Public Tragedy, of which the Welsh Government is a signatory.

Next steps

We plan to publish our new Crisis Management Concept of Operations by summer 2026.

Recommendation 46

Recommendation

Events demonstrated, however, that there is a need for a clearer understanding of the nature of the London Gold arrangements, in particular in situations in which a single borough is affected. We therefore recommend that the guidance on the operation of those arrangements be revised and that existing and newly appointed chief executives be given regular training to ensure they are familiar with its principles.

Progress update

Wales has its own gold training programme, called Wales Gold, which we work with partners to review to ensure it is aligned to wider standards.

We have been working with our responder community to deliver four Wales Gold training and exercising events over the past year. This training is helping to strengthen strategic leadership capability and reinforcing preparedness across Wales during or following an emergency or major incident. Additional courses will be added due to demand.

Next steps

At the end of last year the Wales Resilience Forum approved the Wales Resilience Partnership work programme for 2026, with a supporting core group who will be focussing on training and exercising in relation to emergencies. 

We will continue to work collaboratively with partners and draw on the expertise of the UK Resilience Academy, which is part of the UK Government’s Cabinet Office, to help deliver the Wales Resilience Framework’s objectives including training and exercising. This partnership supports the development of skills, sharing best practice, and ensuring plans and capabilities are regularly tested through structured exercises.

Recommendation 47

Recommendation

That local resilience forums adopt national standards to ensure effective training, preparation and planning for emergencies and adopt independent auditing schemes to identify deficiencies and secure compliance.

Progress update

We have been working collaboratively with partners and drawing on the expertise of the UK Resilience Academy, to review our strategic Wales Gold course against the latest National Occupational Standards.

Next steps

We will continue to review the effectiveness of this training, iterating and developing it where necessary. 

Recommendation 48

Recommendation

That a mechanism be introduced for independently verifying the frequency and quality of training provided by local authorities and other Category 1 responders.

Progress update

The Wales Resilience Partnership’s work programme for 2026/27 agreed in December includes a workstream to address capability gaps and a separate training and exercising workstream which aims to develop a pan-Wales training and exercising programme, with a supporting core group which will focus on oversight of training and exercising activity. A task and finish group will also review and develop pan-Wales training packages (including Wales Gold, Silver, and multi-agency chairs training packages).

Next steps

We have commissioned the UK Resilience Academy to work with the Wales Resilience Partnership to review a pan-Wales lessons management system. This would enable partners to monitor and implement those lessons, which are best addressed at a pan-Wales level. This would ensure a consistent approach whilst enabling efficiencies to be achieved.

The Partnership’s work programme also includes a workstream which will explore opportunities for independent assessment at the pan-Wales level, including training and exercising. 

Recommendation 49

Recommendation

That local authorities train all their employees, including chief executives, to regard resilience as an integral part of their responsibilities.

This recommendation is directed at local authorities. The Welsh Government accepts the principle of the recommendation and will work with local authorities via our existing partnership arrangements with local resilience forums in Wales to understand further what action they intend to take to address this recommendation.

Recommendation 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 and 55

Recommendations

50: Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) had no effective means of collecting and recording information about those who had been displaced from the tower and surrounding buildings, including those who were missing. Compiling reliable information of that kind is difficult and the challenges likely to be faced by local authority Category 1 responders will vary according to the nature of the emergency. We recommend that all local authorities devise methods of obtaining and recording information of that kind, if possible in electronic form, and practise putting them into operation under a variety of different circumstances. 

51: That all local authorities make such arrangements as are reasonably practicable for enabling them to place people in temporary accommodation at short notice and in ways that meet their personal, religious and cultural requirements. Such arrangements should, as far as possible, involve local providers of social housing.

52: That all local authorities include in their contingency plans arrangements for providing immediate financial assistance to people affected by an emergency.

53: That as part of their planning for emergencies local authorities give detailed consideration to the availability of key workers and the role they are expected to play so that suitable contingency arrangements can be made to ensure, as far as possible, continuity of support.

54: That as part of their emergency planning local authorities make effective arrangements for continuing communication with those who need assistance using the most suitable technology and a range of languages appropriate to the area. 

55: That all local authorities include in their plans for responding to emergencies arrangements for providing information to the public by whatever combination of modern methods of communication are likely to be most effective for the areas for which they are responsible.

These recommendations are directed at local authorities. The Welsh Government accepts the principle of the recommendations and will work with local authorities via our existing partnership arrangements with local resilience forums in Wales to understand further what action they intend to take to address these recommendations.

Recommendation 56

Recommendation

That what in the past has been called by the police a “casualty bureau” be described in a way that makes it clear that it does not provide information to the public about people affected by the emergency. (113.78)

This recommendation is directed at the NPCC. The NPCC brings together and is funded by police forces in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Accordingly, this recommendation has been discharged by Chief Constables across Wales, as policing is a reserved area.

Recommendation 57

Recommendation

That further consideration be given to the recommendations made in the Phase 1 report in the light of our findings in this report.

Progress update

We have and will continue to consider and monitor the Phase 1 and Phase 2 reports as part of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry implementation programme.

Many of the Phase 1 report recommendations are linked to the Building Safety (Wales) Bill. Potential regulations will be a matter for the new Welsh Government following the forthcoming Senedd election. As such, these recommendations will be considered further later in 2026.

Recommendation 58

Recommendation

That the advice contained in paragraph 79.11 of the LGA Guide be reconsidered.

Progress Update 

Working in close collaboration with the National Fire Chiefs Council and the UK Government we have developed updated guidance. 

Next Steps

Although publication was initially planned for the end of 2025, additional work is currently underway to ensure it aligns fully with the Building Safety (Wales) Bill.

Phase 1 Recommendations

Recommendation

That the owner and manager of every high-rise residential building be required by law to draw up and keep under regular review evacuation plans, copies of which are to be provided in electronic and paper form to their local fire and rescue service and placed in an information box on the premises.

Progress update

This recommendation has been partially met:

We have amended the technical guidance in Approved Document B (Fire safety) to include a provision to require Secure Information Boxes in all new blocks of flats with a top storey more than 11m above ground level. The guidance references Sections 2 to 4 of ‘the Code of Practice for the Provision of Premises Information Boxes in Residential Buildings’ published by the Fire Industry Association (FIA) for further best practice guidance. The revised Approved Document B has been published and came into force on 20 December 2025. Building regulations are applicable when new building work is carried out.

The Welsh Government is committed to working with stakeholders to identify the most appropriate means of ensuring provisions are in place to plan for the evacuation of residents whose ability to self-evacuate is compromised. The powers in the Building Safety (Wales) Bill may be used to make supplementary regulations about what reasonable steps certain persons must take to ensure that people in or about a building whose safety is at risk from fire in parts of the building can escape, including by being rescued, quickly and safely. 

Next steps

Further work will take place on this subject to the Building Safety (Wales) Bill receiving Royal Assent. 

Recommendation 60 and 61

Recommendation

60. That the owner and manager of every high-rise residential building be required by law to prepare personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs) for all residents whose ability to self-evacuate may be compromised (such as persons with reduced mobility or cognition).

61. That the owner and manager of every high-rise residential building be required by law to include up-to-date information about persons with reduced mobility and their associated personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs) in the premises information box.

Progress update

The Welsh Government is committed to working with stakeholders to identify the most appropriate means of ensuring provisions are in place to plan for the evacuation of residents whose ability to self-evacuate is compromised. The powers of the Building Safety (Wales) Bill may be used to make supplementary regulations about what reasonable steps certain persons must take to ensure that people in or about a building whose safety is at risk from fire in parts of the building can escape, including by being rescued, quickly and safely. 

Next steps

Further consideration will take place on this recommendation subject to the Building Safety (Wales) Bill receiving Royal Assent.