An independent review of UK building regulations and fire safety is to be carried out following the fire at Grenfell Tower.

At least 80 people are known to have died after the 24-storey tower caught fire on 14 June.

The incident raised serious questions about the fire safety of high rise residential buildings, and subsequent government testing of aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding from similar buildings across the country.

The move comes as new cladding test results revealed 82 towers do not meet current standards.


The first system tested, a wall cladding system using an aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding with unmodified polyethylene filler (Cat 3) and foam insulation, failed the test which is set out in current building regulations guidance.

The independent review will be led by Dame Judith Hackitt, Chair of EEF, the Manufacturers' Organisation. It will look at current building regulations and fire safety with a particular focus on high rise residential buildings. It will report jointly to the Communities Secretary Sajid Javid and the Home Secretary Amber Rudd.

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said: "Since the tragic Grenfell Tower disaster, the government has been working to make sure people living in high rise buildings are safe.

"It's clear we need to urgently look at building regulations and fire safety. This independent review will ensure we can swiftly make any necessary improvements. Government is determined to make sure that we learn the lessons from the Grenfell Tower fire, and to ensure nothing like it can happen again."

(LM/MH)