Recommendation P2-20: Require principal designer compliance statement at Gateway 2
From Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 2 Report, published 4 September 2024.
Recommendation
We also recommend 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. (113.31)
In brief (written by this site)
In September 2026, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government stated that it was analysing responses to its building professions call for evidence to consider options for improving senior accountability within dutyholder organisations (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Sep 2026). The department reported in September 2026 that work on an interim voluntary scheme remained paused, while its implementation timeline projected a public consultation on detailed options in 2027 and secondary legislation to introduce the recommendation if needed in 2029 (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Sep 2026; 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 intend to make it a statutory requirement to include such a statement with building control approval applications requiring the principal designer to confirm they have complied with their existing duties. This includes all reasonable steps being taken to ensure the design complies with relevant requirements in building regulations. We will consider whether this requirement should apply to all building control routes, not just higher-risk buildings, in line with the requirements of dutyholders under the Building Safety Act 2022.
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)
Earlier this year, the government published a call for evidence on the building professions which closed in August. Since then, the government has been analysing the responses to the call for evidence for the Professions Strategy. We are considering options for improving senior accountability within dutyholder organisation following stakeholder feedback to the call for evidence.
We recognise that the sector has faced many changes recently and understand the need for any changes to be proportionate. Therefore, we are considering a range of options for strengthening the accountability of dutyholders and clarifying dutyholder roles.
The government continues to pause work on a voluntary scheme to focus on the call for evidence on the building professions, trades and occupations.
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)
Timeline for delivery
2025
- Begin scoping an interim product (ie, voluntary scheme) as pathway to mandating the recommendations and start stakeholder engagement. – Complete
2026
- Establish timeline for call for evidence and prepare draft call for evidence. – Complete
- Call for evidence. – (Q3, Jul to Sep)
- Analysis of call for evidence responses and development of policy options (including stakeholder engagement). – (Q3, Jul to Sep)
- Continue scoping an interim product (ie, voluntary scheme) as pathway to mandating the recommendations and further stakeholder engagement. – (Q4, Oct to Dec)
2027
- Development of detailed policy options. – (Q1, Jan to Mar)
- Action interim product. – (Q3, Jul to Sep)
- Public consultation of detailed options. – (Q3, Jul to Sep)
2029
- Secondary legislation laid in Parliament to introduce recommendation if needed.
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)
In last year, the government has prioritised work to improve operation of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) and the delivery of the higher-risk regime. We have reviewed options on how we could make it a statutory requirement for Gateway 2 applications to be supported by statement from the senior manager of the principal designer.
In 2026, we will work on clarifying existing duties to build confidence within the sector. We are working with the BSR to address issues raised about the current regime’s effectiveness. We recognise that the sector has faced many changes recently and understand the need for clarity on existing duties. We want to ensure any future enhancements are realistic, proportionate and deliverable.
We will also continue work to understand whether a statement from a senior manager is the best way to achieve greater accountability or whether there are other options to ensure accountability at a senior level in principal designer organisations. We will also review how the dutyholder duties operate in practice and work with stakeholders to understand best practice within the sector.
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.
Responsible bodies
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- UK Government
Response - Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Delivery statement