Hans Mitchell

The 26 participants reinforced Scotland’s acceptance of the Grenfell Inquiry’s recommendations and the plans for implementation through cross-sector collaboration. This is a long-term plan and coordinated actions will continue all the way through to 2030.

The issue of culture provoked broad consensus with the group discussing the construction industry’s perceived continued prioritisation of profit over safety, and recognition that a cultural shift is needed to transform how buildings are designed, built and maintained.

The issue of needing time to embed change is reflected in the review of Section 2 (Fire) of Building Standards. There will be a call for evidence to inform a full review, but it was disclosed that this first stage could take up to a year to complete before a full review and timetable can then be prepared. Many will argue that this is just too slow given what’s at stake here.   

There was broad alignment and support for the professional registration and licensing of fire engineers and enhanced fire safety strategy requirements. Training and competency across all built environment professions was universally highlighted as a weakness that needed urgent attention.

The group also raised the impact of poor procurement practices leading to the repetitive appointment of ‘incompetent’ contractors. Recognition, perhaps, that budget constraints or existing procurement methodologies need greater scrutiny to enable high-quality specialist contractors fair access and opportunity to bid for contracts.

While there was acknowledgement of the importance of resident engagement, in light of conclusions from the Grenfell Inquiry, concrete mechanisms to embed resident voices in the regulatory process are still vague. Strong Local Authority Enforcement and sanctions are key, but bodies are significantly under-resourced and concerns voiced around whether building warrant fee increases will actually support verification teams in the field.

We’re definitely hearing the right words from MWG, but it’s clear that progress is too slow in critical areas, especially around professional regulation, enforcement, and industry accountability. Without accelerated timelines, stronger legal mandates, and clear protections for compliance roles, there is a real risk that safety reforms may fall short, especially if industry pushes back or complacency sets in. Devolved Scotland has the opportunity to lead from the front and raise the bar for compliance safety standards – this is the time for bold action and a laser focus on resident safety today, not tomorrow

• Hans Mitchell is client relations director at Harmony Fire