The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has today (27 January 2026) officially moved to a standalone organisation, paving the way for the creation of a single construction regulator - a key recommendation of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
The move from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to an arm’s-length body under the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, represents a significant moment for the built environment.
As a new organisation, BSR will work towards establishing a single regulator by promoting competence and higher standards. It will drive the vital culture change required by everyone working in the built environment to support this government’s ambition to build more, safe homes, and remediate those which are unsafe.
The move to standalone status is underpinned by a significant ‘operational reset’ in BSR’s role as the building control authority for higher-risk buildings. Following the introduction of its Innovation Unit and new efficiency measures, the regulator’s operational delivery is fast improving. This progress demonstrates a commitment to combine regulatory experience with industry knowledge to target guidance and education where it is needed most.