Recommendation P2-16: Increase Masters-level fire engineering course places
From Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 2 Report, published 4 September 2024.
Recommendation
In order to speed up the creation of a body of professional fire engineers we also recommend that the government take urgent steps to increase the number of places on high-quality masters level courses in fire engineering accredited by the professional regulator. (113.25)
In brief (written by this site)
In September 2026, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government reported that £13 million in funding was available through an open competitive process for higher education institutions to provide studentships for masters places and expand fire engineering capacity (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Sep 2026). The department also stated in September 2026 that it had formed the Fire Engineers Transitional Board to provide expert advice during the reforms (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Sep 2026). According to the department's implementation timeline from September 2026, delivery of new courses is scheduled for the third quarter of 2027 (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Sep 2026).
Sources
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 26 Sep 2026. The record below is the sources' own words.
Government response
The government accepts this recommendation. We recognise the value that more masters level courses in fire engineering could bring and will consider how to most effectively increase their number and take-up.
How this response relates to the recommendation
Site note: This is the government's response to the Phase 2 report (CP 1248, published 26 February 2025). It prints each recommendation and then the response to it. Where the recommendation is addressed to a body outside government, the response prints that body's own acceptance (the Architects Registration Board and RIBA, HMICFRS, London Fire Brigade, the National Fire Chiefs Council, the British Standards Institution, the National Police Chiefs' Council), and the row is filed under that body.
Delivery
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government says in progress (10 September 2026)
Timeline for delivery
2025
- Government sets out plans for next steps on the recommendations concerning the fire engineer profession. – Complete
2026
- Funding mechanism established (subject to Spending Review). – Complete
2027
- New course delivery. – (Q3, Jul to Sep)
Site note: This is the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's progress report of September 2026 on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations. Where the passage describes work by another body, such as the National Fire Chiefs Council, London Fire Brigade, fire and rescue services, the British Standards Institution or the Cabinet Office, it is the Ministry's account of that body's progress, and the row is filed under the Ministry.
Earlier statements on delivery (2)
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (10 September 2026)
In recent months we have established the Fire Engineers Transitional Board to provide expert support and advice to MHCLG during the next phase of reform for the fire engineering profession. Along with representation from the devolved governments, the board is comprised of experienced regulators, representatives from professional bodies, and expert advisers:
- Dr Barbara Lane
- Prof Jose Torero
- Prof Luke Bisby
- Lynsey Seal
- Ben Bradford
- Architects Registration Board (primary representative: Simon Howard)
- Building Safety Regulator (primary representatives: Charles-Elie Romeyer; Karen Holmes)
- Engineering Council (primary representative: Paul Bailey)
- Institution of Fire Engineers (primary representative: Steve Hamm)
- Royal Academy of Engineering (primary representative: Natasha McCarthy)
- National Fire Chiefs Council (primary representative: Richard Clark)
Further information about the role of the board can be found in the next steps statement, which sets out the department’s planned approach to recommendations 15, 16 and 18.
In support of recommendation 16, £13 million funding is currently available to UK higher education institutions through an open competitive process, to increase capacity of fire engineering professionals. Award winners will be tasked to use the funds to increase higher education provision, provide studentships for masters places and boost research and academic capacity in fire engineering.
Site note: This is the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's progress report of September 2026 on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations. Where the passage describes work by another body, such as the National Fire Chiefs Council, London Fire Brigade, fire and rescue services, the British Standards Institution or the Cabinet Office, it is the Ministry's account of that body's progress, and the row is filed under the Ministry.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (25 February 2026)
Throughout the year we have made progress toward regulating the fire engineering profession. In May we engaged a panel of industry and academic, and regulatory experts to advise on the expectations of a competent fire engineer and the implementation of the recommendations.
By September, the panel had begun drafting an authoritative statement, with engagement across professional bodies, fire and rescue services and commercial organisations, and in December, we published the authoritative statement alongside a next steps paper. The papers set out key principles for future regulation and outline how we intend to take forward reform, informing future consultations and implementation planning.
Recommendation 17 is complete and has been fully discharged.
Site note: This is the annex of the government's Phase 2 annual report (CP 1512, published 25 February 2026) as GOV.UK publishes it, one page per theme: the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's account. Where the passage describes work by another body, such as the National Fire Chiefs Council, London Fire Brigade, the British Standards Institution, the Health and Safety Executive or the Cabinet Office, it is the report's account of that body's progress, and the row is filed under the Ministry. The status is what the passage says: completed only where it says the recommendation is complete or closed.
Site note: The source gives this passage once, for recommendations 15, 16, 17 and 18 together. The same words are recorded on P2-15, P2-16, P2-17 and P2-18. The passage ends by saying that recommendation 17 is complete; the other three are shown as in progress.
Responsible bodies
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- UK Government
Response - Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Delivery statement