Independent review into building safety announced after Grenfell

An independent review into building regulations and fire safety has been announced after the Grenfell Tower blaze exposed widespread risks in high-rise buildings.

The Department for Communities and Local Government said last month’s inferno “raised serious questions” about fire safety, centred on the use of flammable cladding in tower blocks

The inquiry is to be led by Dame Judith Hackitt and will report to Communities Secretary Sajid Javid and Home Secretary Amber Rudd, the government said.

Mr Javid said: “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 we learn the lessons from the Grenfell Tower fire, and to ensure nothing like it can happen again.”

The development comes as it was revealed that 82 tower blocks failed a new fire safety test which scrutinises the combination of cladding and insulation.

It is the first raft of more comprehensive assessments following a wave of tests which saw hundreds of cladding samples fail standards for flammability in recent months.

Dame Judith will aim to publish a final report by spring 2018 and an interim report before the year ends.