We heard concerns about insufficient capacity and capability at the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), which oversees the safety and standards of buildings over 18 metres. The HBF told us that the BSR was continuing to hold up development, including self-remediation work, for buildings over 18 metres. In written evidence, the HBF reported that applications to the BSR 31 Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report: Government response, 26 February 2025 32 Qq 19, 39, 42 33 Higher–risk buildings are residential buildings taller than 7 storeys or 18 metres. 34 MHCLG Remediation Acceleration Plan 35 Qq 22–23, 35 16 for building control approval, required before works can begin on site, were taking for to five times longer that the targeted 12 weeks.36 When we asked about the reasons for these hold ups, the HBF acknowledged that while some applications were complex, there was a lack of qualified people in the BSR to do the work. The LGA explained that this was new work for the BSR, and the regulator was learning on the job. In written evidence, the National Federation of Roofing Contractors told us about examples of BSR inspectors not having fire-safety backgrounds, and an industry-wide shortage of cladding experts to fill BSR posts.37 36 Q 15; RDC0006, Written evidence submitted by the Home Builders Federation 37 Qq 17, 19; RDC0092, Written evidence submitted by the National Federation of Roofing Contractors, 4 February 2025 17 2 Protecting residents Improving the remediation experience for residents