<p><span>The government has launched a consultation on building safety reform following the Hackitt Review, published in response to the Grenfell Tower fire of 2017.</span></p> <p><span>Taking forward all of Dame Judith Hackitt’s recommendations and “going further”, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said it would consult on establishing “duty holders” who will be responsible for the safety of building occupants and ensuring that Building Regulations are followed. They will also be expected to keep vital safety information electronically on how the building was designed and built and is managed, “for the entire life of a building”.</span></p> <p><span>This is the “golden thread of information” about each high rise residential building that Dame Judith strongly recommended in her Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, MHCLG indicated. Her review also called for a culture change in the industry, “underpinned by changing how homes are designed, built, maintained and managed in the future,” MHCLG added.</span></p> <p><span>The government has also proposed a new building safety regulator to take enforcement action – including fines or imprisonment - against those responsible for a building who shirk their duties. The building safety regulator will oversee the safety of new and existing buildings, MHCLG explained.</span></p> …