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Grenfell Tower fire: Building safety 'culture change' needed Grenfell Tower fire: Building safety 'cuts corners' says review
(about 2 hours later)
A "culture change" in attitudes is needed to building safety to prevent another fire such as Grenfell Tower, the person leading a review into regulations and fire safety has said. Building regulations are leaving room for shortcuts, the woman leading a review into fire safety after the Grenfell Tower blaze has said.
Dame Judith Hackitt told BBC Radio 4's Today programme people had to "commit to making buildings safer" instead of "simply doing things at least cost". In her interim report Dame Judith Hackitt said she was "shocked" by some of the practices she had seen, calling for better enforcement to "hold to account those who try to cut corners."
She also criticised "complex" systems for making guidance harder to follow. She said a "cultural change" was needed instead of "doing things cheaply".
The independent review follows the 14 June blaze, which killed 71 people. The independent review follows the 14 June fire, which killed 71 people.
An interim report will be published later, with a final report expected in spring next year. A final report is expected in spring next year.
Dame Judith said it was a "combination" of the regulations and the people that should enforce them that was to blame for the fire in Kensington, west London. Dame Judith told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that people had to "commit to making buildings safer" instead of "simply doing things at least cost".
But whilst the systems themselves may have good intentions, they are too difficult to navigate, she said. In the interim report, she wrote: "It has become clear that the whole system of regulation, covering what is written down and the way in which it is enacted in practice, is not fit for purpose, leaving room for those who want to take shortcuts to do so.
"Rather than [complex regulations] giving people everything the need to know, it makes it quite difficult for people to penetrate that complexity to truly understand what they need to do," she said. "There is plenty of good practice, but it is not difficult to see how those who are inclined to take shortcuts can do so."
The quality assurance of both people and materials was "seriously lacking," she added, and she criticised "complex" systems for making guidance harder to follow.
"Rather than [complex regulations] giving people everything the need to know, it makes it quite difficult for people to penetrate that complexity to truly understand what they need to do," Dame Judith told the BBC.
"There is clearly an opportunity to make that much simpler and to guide people to the right answer, rather than presenting them with all that information.""There is clearly an opportunity to make that much simpler and to guide people to the right answer, rather than presenting them with all that information."
Dame Judith also wants buildings to be managed through their "full life cycle", rather than just when they are new builds, so any changes to property do not threaten residents' safety. Dame Judith wants buildings to be managed through their "full life cycle", rather than just when they are new builds, so any changes to property do not threaten residents' safety.
"If you get it right first, that's a good start, but even then you have to have good systems in place to ensure change is managed properly," she said"If you get it right first, that's a good start, but even then you have to have good systems in place to ensure change is managed properly," she said
'Assurance to residents''Assurance to residents'
The review, launched in August, is looking at the effectiveness of existing building and fire safety regulations, with a focus on high-rise tower blocks.The review, launched in August, is looking at the effectiveness of existing building and fire safety regulations, with a focus on high-rise tower blocks.
It will also report on tests carried out on cladding in the aftermath of the fire to indentify any "potential systemic failures".It will also report on tests carried out on cladding in the aftermath of the fire to indentify any "potential systemic failures".
"The review's two key priorities are to develop a more robust regulatory system for the future and provide further assurance to residents that the buildings they live in are safe and remain safe," said the government."The review's two key priorities are to develop a more robust regulatory system for the future and provide further assurance to residents that the buildings they live in are safe and remain safe," said the government.
Dame Judith said a "tremendous amount of work" had been done by central government and the fire and rescue service since Grenfell to reassure residents.Dame Judith said a "tremendous amount of work" had been done by central government and the fire and rescue service since Grenfell to reassure residents.
Although separate from the public inquiry into the tragedy, being headed by Sir Martin Moore-Bick, it will run in parallel and add to his review where it can.Although separate from the public inquiry into the tragedy, being headed by Sir Martin Moore-Bick, it will run in parallel and add to his review where it can.
Dame Judith will appear in front of the Commons' local government committee later to discuss the report.Dame Judith will appear in front of the Commons' local government committee later to discuss the report.