Building and Fire Safety - Ministerial Working Group: Grenfell Inquiry phase 2

Background and context to the Grenfell Tower Fire

On 14 June 2017 a fire at Grenfell Tower, London resulted in the deaths of 72 people and the loss of homes for a community.

The Scottish Government immediately set up the Ministerial Working Group on Building and Fire Safety, following the fire, to address the issues involved.

Grenfell Inquiry phase 1 report

Phase 1 of the Inquiry focused on the factual events of the night of the fire. Concluding its work in December 2018 the Inquiry published its Report on 30 October 2019.

The Phase 1 report made 46 recommendations of which 15 were directed at “building owners and managers” of high-rise residential buildings (including three for residential buildings with separate dwellings regardless of height) and one for the Government. 31 recommendations were for the London Fire Brigade (LFB) and emergency services.  

The Scottish Government reviewed the recommendations with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service through a working group. The Government's response report was published on 29 October 2020.

Grenfell Inquiry phase 2 report

Phase 2 has focused on the physical condition of the Tower. Evidence has been heard over a series of modules set out in a thematic manner:

• module 1 the primary refurbishment (overview and cladding)
• module 2 cladding products – testing/certification, product marketing/promotion
• module 3 active and passive fire safety measures internal to building, management of building, compliance rro 2005, fire risk assessment, including complaints and communication with residents
• module 4 aftermath
• module 5 firefighting
• module 6 government
• module 7 experts
• module 8 evidence relating to the deceased

Scottish Ministers have created the Ministerial Working Group to examine the phase 2 report and to ensure that where necessary the government takes all appropriate action to address the reports’ findings and recommendations.

Regular updates will be made to this site as we progress through the analysis and response to the recommendations.

Members

• Paul McLennan MSP, Minister for Housing (chair)
• Siobhian Brown MSP, Minister for Victims and Communities
• Scottish Government Officials  
• Local Authority Building Standards Scotland
• Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
• HM Fire Service Inspectorate