Tragedies a catalyst for far‑reaching reforms

At the end of this month, I will hang up my badge as Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council. In the four years I have held the role, the sector has changed significantly… it had to. The Grenfell Tower fire and the Manchester Arena attack were national tragedies and in our endeavour to ensure a legacy of justice for the victims and communities, they have acted as the catalyst for necessary and far-reaching reforms.

When it comes to building safety there is, of course, much more to be done. This was the message last month as the government issued its response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report. The government has accepted 49 recommendations in full and nine in principle. It has pledged to hold industry accountable, launching debarment investigations into seven named organisations. Plans include major reforms in construction, building, and fire safety, along with stricter rules for construction product safety under a new single regulator. Additionally, the government has committed to strengthening protections for social tenants, empowering them to challenge landlords and demand safer housing.

NFCC welcomes these measures and is committed to working with the government and partners to implement the reforms. While fire and rescue services (FRSs) have improved their response to high-rise fires since Grenfell, wider systemic failures remain. NFCC has been tracking progress on the recommendations and will publish delivery plans this spring to ensure further meaningful change.

Meanwhile, NFCC is stepping up the call for action on unsafe buildings, releasing a white paper last month that urges a coordinated effort to tackle the crisis. FRSs have been leading the charge, using their expertise to enforce safety measures and protect communities. But as our paper highlights, they simply don’t have the capacity to inspect all mid-rise residential buildings which, at the current rate and resources, could take up to 24 years and cost over £600 million.

And it’s not just about funding – there’s a system-wide shortage of trained specialists to get the job done. Many building owners struggle to comply, bogged down by complex ownership structures and a lack of skilled professionals. These pressures mean other high-risk buildings, like care homes and hospitals, could end up being inspected less often. That’s why NFCC is calling for a central, government-led, programme to cut through these barriers, and a cross-departmental Construction Skills Strategy to provide a longer-term fix to the chronic shortage of fire safety experts.

With protection high on the political agenda, the transfer of fire and rescue to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) comes at a crucial time. As my column this month highlights, FRSs face big challenges – from implementing post-Grenfell reforms to adapting to evolving risks – so we look forward to working closely with MHCLG to secure investment and drive improvements. A big thank you to our colleagues in the Home Office, including Dame Diana Johnson and her predecessors, for their invaluable support over the years. While our focus now shifts to MHCLG, we will continue collaborating with the Home Office on key areas like counter-terrorism and tackling violence against women and girls. We are committed to working constructively with government to ensure the best outcomes for FRSs and the communities they protect.

In closing, as I step aside and hand over the NFCC Chair into the very capable hands of Phil Garrigan, I do so optimistic for the future. I continue to be proud of the fantastic people who work in fire and rescue services across the UK, proud of the work of NFCC and those who work with and for it, and confident about the public safety benefits you bring every day. The UK Fire and Rescue Service, and the system of organisations that support them, are the envy of almost all global fire and rescue services. Thank you for all your support… keep up the great work.

Norman Murray

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