Grenfell Tower Inquiry phase 2 report: Welsh Government response

The Grenfell Tower tragedy of 14 June 2017 remains one of the most devastating events in our recent history. The loss of 72 precious lives has left an indelible mark on the United Kingdom, and the impact continues to resonate deeply with us all here in Wales.

The publication of the Phase Two Report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry represents a significant moment in our collective journey to understand how such a catastrophe could happen and to ensure a similar event could never happen again. Sir Martin Moore-Bick's comprehensive findings have laid bare the systemic failures across industry, governance and regulation that contributed to this tragedy.

The Welsh Government welcomes the recommendations and we are pleased to set out this Government’s response to each of them and the actions we will take to implement them.

Since 2017, we have been working to strengthen building safety in Wales. However, the Inquiry's findings make clear that there is much more to do across the UK. We must continue to transform our approach to building safety regulation, industry practice, and resident engagement.

At the heart of our response is a commitment to put residents first. Today we introduce the Building Safety (Wales) Bill into the Senedd. The Bill seeks to ensure safety considerations are monitored and addressed throughout the occupation phase of a building’s lifecycle, establish robust mechanisms for resident involvement and stronger systems of redress when things go wrong. The Bill is a key part of a comprehensive programme of reform, which involves close partnership working between local authorities, the fire service, industry and residents.

The legacy of Grenfell Tower must be meaningful change. We owe it to those who lost their lives, their families, and the survivors to ensure that such a tragedy can never happen in Wales. This response represents our unwavering commitment to that goal.

Jayne Bryant, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government 

Rebecca Evans, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning

The Welsh Government is committed to effective fire safety to prevent fires, injuries, and fatalities, which includes learning from the Grenfell Tower tragedy and the findings of the Inquiry to improve building and fire safety in Wales.

This report sets out the Welsh Government’s response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s Phase 2 Report. Since the fire the Welsh Government has made changes and created new legislation, as well as creating new work programmes to strengthen systems of compliance and enforcement, and to make existing buildings safer. We have reflected further on these reforms in the light of the Phase 2 Report, recognising that it is important to learn lessons and ensure buildings in Wales are designed, built and maintained in a way that optimises safety.

In February 2025[1], the Welsh Government accepted the Inquiry’s findings and continues to stand ready to work with the UK Government, and the governments of Scotland and Northern Ireland, to implement the recommended reforms. This includes recommendations on reserved matters and also on devolved matters where it makes sense to take a UK-wide approach. 

[1] Written Statement: Response to the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 Report (26 February 2025) | GOV.WALES

The tragedy at Grenfell Tower revealed fundamental truths about fire safety that transcend geographical boundaries. The scientific principles governing how fire spreads remain constant regardless of location, making the lessons from this disaster relevant across all parts of the United Kingdom.

Wales has approximately 180 high-rise residential buildings compared to England's 12,500, representing a significantly lower proportion relative to our respective populations.

This distinct housing profile does not diminish the importance of the Inquiry's findings for Wales; rather, it requires us to apply these lessons thoughtfully across our particular built environment. Our response also acknowledges other differences between our nations, including variations in Fire and Rescue Service funding and inspection regimes, our approaches to multi-agency emergency response, and local authority housing management.

The Welsh Government's response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry takes full account of these contextual factors while recognising our shared obligation to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again, here in Wales or anywhere else.

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

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

This recommendation is directed at the UK Government, and it has accepted it in principle. The Welsh Government also accepts the principle of the recommendation and continues to work with the UK Government and the other devolved administrations to implement it. 

What we have done

The functions referenced in this recommendation span both reserved and devolved areas, introducing a level of complexity that necessitates careful coordination with the UK Government and the other devolved administrations. We have initiated detailed discussions with our counterparts across all administrations and have secured representation on relevant working groups where the regulatory structures are currently being developed.

We note that the UK Government has begun work to strengthen the existing regulatory regime through the Building Safety Regulator and has committed to publishing a Regulation of the Built Environment Prospectus. We are actively engaging in this process to ensure that Welsh interests are fully represented and considered in the design of any future single regulator.

Our position remains that functions which are not devolved are of course the responsibility of the UK Government. For devolved functions, such as building control oversight, we continue to exercise these powers in Wales and will work to ensure that any new arrangements respect devolved competencies while enabling effective collaboration and operation.

What we are committed to doing

The Welsh Government is committed to working collaboratively with the UK Government and other devolved administrations to ensure that any single regulator established can operate in a way that is both effective and respectful of devolved responsibilities.

We support the establishment of a single regulator where it can:

• Enhance cross-border collaboration, particularly in areas such as contractor licensing, fire engineers and fire risk assessor accreditation, where a shared England-Wales register would be practical and efficient;
• Provide consistent monitoring and advice on the operation of building regulations, with reporting mechanisms that include both the Secretary of State and Welsh Ministers;
• Facilitate the collection and exchange of information on fire safety and construction practices, both domestically and internationally, to inform policy and practice in Wales;
• Maintain a unified, publicly accessible library of test data and publications, avoiding duplication and ensuring transparency across the UK.

We will also undertake a review of the Building Regulations Advisory Committee for Wales (BRACW) to ensure its remit is aligned with the evolving regulatory landscape and that it can effectively support Welsh Ministers in engaging with the new regulator.

Our overarching aim is to ensure that any new regulatory arrangements deliver improved safety, transparency, and accountability across the construction sector, while safeguarding the integrity of devolved responsibilities and ensuring that the needs of Wales are fully addressed.

Recommendation

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

What we have done

The Building Safety (Wales) Bill will introduce an occupation phase regime, encompassing the vast majority of multi-occupied residential buildings in Wales, not just higher-risk buildings (HRBs). 

Separately, the definition of HRBs for the design and construction phase is already in place. A further review of this definition will be undertaken in due course, informed by ongoing engagement with the UK Government.

What we are committed to doing

We are committed to keeping under review the current definition(s), with a view to adopting a broader and more inclusive interpretation.

In addition, we are committed to closely monitoring any changes made to the definition in England. Such changes could have significant implications for the regulation of the building control profession. Furthermore, any divergence may impact our current policy of restricting oversight of higher-risk building work to local authorities, particularly in terms of their capacity to manage the full scope of responsibilities.

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

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

This recommendation is directed at the UK Government, and it has accepted it in full. The Welsh Government accepts the principle of the recommendation and will continue to work with the UK Government to implement it. 

What we have done

The Welsh Government has already engaged with UK Government to gain insight into the role and to take part in the recently established working group.

What we are committed to doing

We are committed to working collaboratively with the UK Government to gain a comprehensive understanding of the role and function of the Chief Construction Adviser and to explore how this position can most effectively support and add value to the construction industry in Wales.

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.

What we have done

The guidance in Approved Document B has been updated in Wales since 2017 to improve fire safety standards, including changes made this year (2025). In general, the changes aim to reduce the risk of combustion due to flammable materials and improve fire safety where applicable building work is carried out on certain buildings.

What we are committed to doing 

5, 6,7, 8 and 12: We note that the Building Safety Regulator is undertaking a review of the statutory guidance (Approved Documents) in England. Given the similarities in the statutory guidance documents (particularly Approved Document B) in use in England and Wales, we will be monitoring this work as it progresses and considering the recommendations in relation to current statutory guidance in Wales. We will continue to work closely with the Building Safety Regulator to identify and consider further improvements to Approved Document B, which is being kept under continuous review. We propose to consult on further Approved Document B changes over the next eighteen months.

Recommendations 6, 7 and 8 will also be dealt with through this work.

9. We agree that membership of our Building regulation bodies should include representatives of the academic community as well as those with practical experience of the industry where they don’t already. We will review BRACW membership when memberships come to a natural review point, we will take this opportunity to review and potentially expand to ensure alignment with this recommendation. 

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.

What we have done

We are actively engaging with the UK Government on the ongoing work concerning the regulation of fire engineering profession.

What we are committed to doing

We are committed to working with the UK Government on the ongoing work for the regulation of the fire engineering profession. Once this work reaches a conclusion, we intend to undertake a formal consultation and consider how best to incorporate this recommendation into the Gateway 2 processes.

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.

This recommendation is directed at the British Standards Institution (BSI). The Welsh Government accepts the principle of the recommendation and will work with the BSI, as appropriate, with a view to progressing implementation.

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

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

These recommendations are directed at the UK Government, and it has accepted them in principle. The Welsh Government accepts the principle of the recommendations and will work with the UK Government to implement them.

What we have done

We are proactively engaging with the UK Government on these matters.

What we are committed to doing

Whilst these are broadly non-devolved matters, the Welsh Government remains committed to aligning with the UK Government and supporting any related devolved aspects. We recognise the importance of a consistent and coherent approach to product certification, which is essential for providing clarity and assurance to the construction sector.

We will continue to engage with the UK Government, contributing to the development of future reforms in product regulation and testing regimes. Our aim is to ensure that Welsh interests are represented and that any changes support a unified and effective regulatory framework across the UK.

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.

These recommendations are directed at the UK Government, and it has accepted them in full. The Welsh Government accepts the principle of the recommendations and will continue to work with the UK Government and Building Safety Regulator to implement them.

What we have done

We have already initiated early engagement with key stakeholders and the Building Safety Regulator to explore the scope and direction of this work. 

What we are committed to doing

The UK Government and the Building Safety Regulator will lead on the work flowing from these recommendations initiative, given their overarching responsibility for the regulatory framework. The Welsh Government will work collaboratively with them to explore opportunities for extending the proposed licensing scheme to Wales. This approach mirrors our previous alignment on the regulation of the Building Control profession, where a unified system has delivered consistency and clarity across both nations. 

Our aim is to ensure that any future licensing arrangements are coherent, effective, and reflective of the needs of the Welsh construction sector. Active engagement will help ensure that devolved interests are fully considered in the development and implementation of the scheme.

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.

This recommendation is directed at the ARB and RIBA. The Welsh Government accepts the principle of the recommendation and will work with the ARB and RIBA, as appropriate, with a view to progressing implementation.

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.

What we have done

We have consulted on changes that would implement this recommendation. The initial review of the consultation responses indicate support for the proposed changes.

What we are committed to doing

Following the consultation, we are undertaking a detailed review of the responses and considering the introduction of legislation that would require all Gateway 2 applications for higher-risk buildings to be accompanied by a formal declaration from a senior manager of the principal designer. This statement will confirm that all reasonable steps have been taken to ensure the building, as designed, will comply with the safety standards set out in the Building Regulations upon completion. This measure will strengthen accountability and reinforce the principle of safety by design within the regulatory framework.

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.

This recommendation is directed at the UK Government and Building Safety Regulator, and it has been accepted by the UK Government in full. The Welsh Government accepts the principle of the recommendation and will continue to work with the Building Safety Regulator and others to implement it.

What we have done

We have been engaging in early discussions with stakeholders and the Building Safety Regulator. 

What we are committed to doing

We will work in close collaboration with the UK Government and Building Safety Regulator to explore the potential for aligning with and extending the licensing scheme to Wales. This approach would build on the successful precedent set through our alignment on the regulation of the Building Control profession, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and clarity across both nations.

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.

These recommendations are directed at the UK Government, and it has accepted them in full. The Welsh Government accepts the principle of the recommendations and will work with the UK Government to implement them.

What we have done

We have agreed with the UK Government to be observers to their Building Control Independent Panel reviewing this recommendation.

What we are committed to doing

The Welsh Government does not intend to establish an independent panel at this time. However, we are committed to conducting a comprehensive review of Building Control functions in Wales. Initially, this will involve observing and learning from the work of the 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.

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.

This recommendation is directed at the UK Government, and it has accepted it in full. The Welsh Government accepts the principle of the recommendation and will continue to work with the UK Government and other devolved Governments to implement it.

What we have done

We are working with the UK Government and the other devolved Governments to support better access to information that offers users clear, accurate, and current information on construction products and their safe use. 

What we are committed to doing

Continuing to work in partnership with others to implement this recommendation.

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.

What we have done

We support the need to identify lessons that can be learned and improvements that could be made following inquiries and investigations from parliamentary committees, coroners and public inquiries and is currently reviewing how best to strengthen oversight mechanisms internally.

Scoping work has begun to consider how the Welsh Government can ensure the recommendations from public inquires and investigations are captured, and appropriate leadership is provided to oversee their implementation. This includes the monitoring and evaluation of inquiries since 2010 with recommendations for the Welsh Government, and inquiries which do not contain recommendations for the Welsh Government but contain valuable learning opportunities.

What we are committed to doing

We note the recommendation of the House of Lords Statutory Inquiries Committee in its report Public Inquiries: Enhancing Public Trust which proposes to establish a new committee of Parliament to improve scrutiny of government’s response to inquiry recommendations. 

The Welsh Government agrees that scrutiny of its actions is a matter for the Senedd Cymru, and Ministers will commit to updating the Senedd on progress for implementing inquiry recommendations. We have previously had discussions with Senedd Cymru on the scrutiny of recommendations from public inquiries, namely the Covid-19 UK Public Inquiry. Further consideration of Senedd scrutiny across the inquiries and investigation landscape will need to be considered as part of the process of Senedd Reform in 2026.

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.

What we have done

The Building Safety (Wales) Bill contains provisions which require all fire risk assessors of multi-occupied residential buildings to be competent. The Bill proposes that it will be a criminal offence to conduct a fire risk assessment when not competent to do so, and for an accountable person to contract for this work with someone whom they know, or ought to know, is not competent. 

What we are committed to doing

We intend to make regulations under the Bill stipulating ways in which fire risk assessors must demonstrate competence. These could include holding specific qualifications or membership of recognised professional bodies. The regulations may also cover approved corporate accreditation schemes for companies and other employers of fire risk assessors. Developing this requires a UK-wide agreement with the fire safety sector on structures and standards for all of these routes to competence. We are working closely on this with the UK Government and the other devolved governments.

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.

This recommendation is directed at the UK Government, and it has been accepted in full. The Welsh Government accepts the principle of the recommendation and will work with the UK Government and partners to implement it.

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.

This recommendation is directed at the UK Government, and it has been accepted in principle. The Welsh Government accepts the principle of the recommendation and will work with the UK Government and Health and Safety Executive and contribute to change in requirements where this is required.

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.

What we have done

The Welsh Government fully supports the recommendation to establish a College of Fire as a means of improving standards of professionalism within the fire and rescue services. As the safety of firefighters and the standards expected of them should be consistent, we are engaged in discussions with the UK and other devolved governments around the establishment of a college. 

What we are committed to doing

We will continue to work with the other UK governments to develop a viable model for a College of Fire, and to support its establishment as soon as possible. 

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)

What we are committed to doing

The Chief Fire and Rescue Advisor and Inspector (Wales) (CFRAI (W) will undertake 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 will be set out in a report from the CFRAI(W).

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)

What we are committed to doing

The CFRAI(W) will undertake a targeted inspection of the 3 fire and rescue services in Wales to establish what arrangements are in place for assessing the training of incident commanders and for considering how effective those arrangements are. Findings and recommendations will be set out in a report from the CFRAI(W).

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)

What we have done

The CFRAI(W) has previously made recommendations in relation to the process for gathering Site Specific Risk Information in the ‘Learning the lessons from Grenfell’ Thematic Review report (2021) (Recommendation 3). 

What we are committed to doing

The CFRAI(W) will undertake a review of the 3 fire and rescue services in Wales to establish to what extent Recommendation 3 of the ‘Learning the lessons from Grenfell’ Thematic Review report has been actioned.

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.

These recommendations are directed at the fire and rescue services and NFCC. The Welsh Government accepts the principle of the recommendations and will continue to work with the fire and rescue services in Wales, as appropriate, to progress implementation.

What we have done

These are operational matters for the fire and rescue services. We have indicated that we expect all three fire and rescue services in Wales to act on them promptly and as appropriate.

What we are committed to doing

We will continue to monitor implementation of these recommendations as part of our regular discussions with the fire and rescue services in Wales. We will also reflect the need to act on the Inquiry’s recommendations in our new National Framework for Fire and Rescue Services, on which we aim to consult later this year.

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.

This recommendation is directed at the BSI. The Welsh Government accepts the principle of the recommendation and will work with the BSI, as appropriate, to progress implementation.

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.

This recommendation is directed at the UK Government, and it has accepted it in full. The Welsh Government accepts the principle of the recommendation and will work with the UK Government to implement it.

What we are committed to doing

We will engage with the UK Government on its review of the interventions powers contained in the Civil Contingencies Act to understand what actions it intends to take.

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.

What we have done

We recognise the vital contribution of voluntary sector and faith groups to all aspects of resilience. Through the Wales Resilience Framework, work is underway to strengthen our relationships with our partners in the voluntary and faith sectors, to draw on their knowledge and capabilities and integrate them into resilience and emergency management activities and policy development at a local and national level.

What we are committed to doing

We will continue to work with our partners in the voluntary sector and faith groups to ensure they are supported to play a full role in emergency preparedness, response and recovery activity where appropriate.

We will work the responder community to review the 2005 regulations and assess their appropriateness in providing responders with the necessary direction to deliver their duties under the Civil Contingencies Act. Following the review, we will consider the appropriateness of developing Welsh regulations, using the Welsh Ministers’ powers under the CCA to support responders meet their functions under the CCA.As part of that work, we will consider whether placing a statutory duty on responders is the most appropriate means of building stronger relationships between responders and the voluntary and faith sectors to achieve our shared goals.

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.

What we have done

We recognise the challenges associated with the range of guidance which is currently available to the responder community and accept the need to ensure guidance is fit for purpose and provides relevant support to responders

As outlined in the Wales Resilience Framework, we recognise the need to build our knowledge and understanding of the underlying vulnerabilities within our communities, including ensuring we, and our partners, are better able to identify vulnerable and at-risk groups to ensure more specific and tailored support can be prioritised in any incident. 

What we are committed to doing

We will work with our partners to ensure guidance is fit for purpose and consolidated to provide the necessary support and advice, which is proportionate and valid for responders to support better planning, risk management, and preparedness.

We will continue to iterate the multi-agency JIGSO system to ensure that partners can identify our most vulnerable citizens in times of an emergency. We will continue to engage with equality and community groups to develop the data available, in line with data protection legislation.

Recommendation

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

What we have done

We recognise the importance of ensuring responders consider the potential impacts on individuals before, during and after an emergency. The Pan-Wales Response Plan sets out the arrangements for the pan-Wales level integration of the Welsh response to an emergency in or affecting Wales. The plan was developed in 2005 and has had some regular updates, including a light-touch review undertaken during 2024. 

What we are committed to doing

We will work with our partners to undertake a full review of the Pan-Wales Response Plan to ensure it meets the needs of the Welsh Government and our partners and provides effective guidance on our crisis management arrangements for the modern risk landscape. This will include guidance to ensure that humanitarian considerations are recognised in national emergency responses.

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.

This recommendation is specific to London Gold arrangements. The Welsh Government accepts the principle of the recommendation and will work with partners, as appropriate, with a view to progressing implementation.

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.

What we have done

The effectiveness of our approach to resilience in Wales is dependent on all bodies at a national, regional, and local level, and all our partners in the civil contingencies’ community understanding their roles and specific responsibilities. While some, but not all, individual responder organisations are subject to regulation and inspection regimes, there is currently no formal assurance mechanism of the activities undertaken by an LRF as a collective body. Whilst there are excellent examples of partners across resilience effectively working together during an emergency, we recognise there is a need to not be solely reliant on voluntary, self-assessment scrutiny processes, to ensure we can secure the necessary assurances that: a) that all relevant plans in place, b) necessary vital links between local and national partners to work effectively together during a response are in place, and c) our responder agencies are performing their duties under the CCA to the highest standards.

What we are committed to doing

We will work with our partners to build on current best practice and the National Resilience Standards for Local Resilience Forums to develop a national assurance framework for Wales. This will be underpinned by an agreed set of standards to support continuous improvement in risk management and preparedness and drive organisational learning and development. Where possible, the new assurance framework will sit alongside, and enhance, existing inspection regimes and will be overseen through our new robust structure of governance and accountability.

Recommendation

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

What we have done

As we set out in the Wales Resilience Framework, we recognise there is a need to strengthen our approaches to preparedness and response through identifying and strengthening the people, processes, and organisations that work in and for civil contingencies. As such, it is vital to ensure the necessary plans, response and recovery capabilities are in place, which are shaped by lessons from the past and tested through regular training and exercising. It is vital we build on the solid foundations, which currently exist, to continue to strengthen our preparedness and response for the challenges ahead.

What we are committed to doing

Working with partners, we will continue to build on the legal requirements under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 to ensure individuals are trained for the role they are expected to undertake, applying a ‘Once for Wales’ approach, where appropriate, to the delivery of training and exercising to maximise efficiencies and economies of scale and enhance consistency across all regions of Wales. We will, where appropriate, centralise training and exercising to avoid duplication and to help ensure responders in Wales adopt a consistent approach in standards. 

We will establish a pan-Wales preparedness and capabilities programme, which will include the development of a new pan-Wales lessons management system, to support all partners in the civil contingencies community in participating in regular training and exercising opportunities at a UK, national and local level, and which considers key learning and notable practice from public inquiries, exercising and major incidents/emergencies. As part of this, we will work with our partners in the responder community to build upon existing collaborative practices and to seek further opportunities to share best practice on ensuring effective and joined up multi-agency response to incidents. This will include reviewing and enhancing training for organisational representatives on Strategic Coordinating Groups (SCG) (Wales Gold) and on Tactical Coordinating Groups (TCG) (Wales Silver), including training for SCG chairs.

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.

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

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 Welsh Government accepts the principle of the recommendation and work with the NPCC, as appropriate, with a view to progressing implementation. 

Recommendation

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

What we are committed to doing

The Welsh Government commits to considering the Phase 1 and Phase 2 reports as part of its Grenfell Tower Inquiry implementation programme. 

Recommendation

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

What we have done

We are working with the UK Government and other stakeholders on a new version of the guide which will address this point and many other lessons from the Grenfell Tower fire.

What we are committed to doing

We hope to publish the new guide later this year. 

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.

What we have done

The Building Safety (Wales) Bill will overhaul the law on fire safety in multi-occupied residential buildings. As part of that, accountable persons will be required to take measures to ensure that fires on the premises can be fought swiftly and effectively. This includes providing relevant information about the premises in a suitable format to the fire and rescue services.

What we are committed to doing

If necessary, the powers of the Bill may be used to make 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 quickly and safely. 

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.

What we have done

The Building Safety (Wales) Bill will overhaul the law on fire safety in multi-occupied residential buildings. As part of that, accountable persons will be required to take all reasonable steps to reduce the severity of any incident where a fire risk has materialised. 

What we are committed to doing

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. If necessary, 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 quickly and safely. 

The Welsh Government is fully committed to implementing the recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report as outlined in this response. 

The safety of people in their homes is our highest priority and we will move to implement the recommendations at pace. 

This work will be undertaken alongside our comprehensive programme of reform to transform building safety in Wales. Central to these reforms is the Building Safety (Wales) Bill, which will establish a robust regulatory framework that addresses the systemic failings identified by the Inquiry and places responsibility firmly on those who manage multi-occupied residential buildings – not just the tallest ones.

We will continue to work closely with residents, industry stakeholders, enforcement authorities and other partners including the UK and other devolved governments to deliver these vital changes and ensure public confidence in building safety.

The Welsh Government will continue to be transparent about our progress. We commit to publishing a progress report on the implementation of the Inquiry's recommendations before the end of this Senedd term, ensuring full accountability to the people of Wales.

The memory of those who lost their lives at Grenfell Tower must serve as a constant reminder of why this work is so essential. We owe it to them, their loved ones, and to everyone who lives in high-rise and multi-occupied buildings to create a building safety system that truly protects them.