Building Safety Regulator Reforms Move Regulator Out of HSE

What is changing

According to the government announcement:

• New leadership: Andy Roe, former Commissioner of London Fire Brigade, has been appointed non-executive chair of a new MHCLG board that will take on the BSR's functions, supported by a new Chief Executive Officer, Charlie Pugsley.
• Fast Track Process: the BSR will bring building inspector and engineer capacity directly in-house to speed up the processing and review of existing new-build cases and remediation decisions.
• More staff: over 100 new members of staff will be added to improve operations and reduce delays.
• Transfer: the BSR will move out of HSE to the new body in due course, with the board initially operating in shadow form until the body is established as an executive agency.

The government links the reforms to its aim of delivering 1.5 million safe, high-quality homes and to speeding up remediation of unsafe buildings.

Why it matters

The announcement acknowledges concerns in the sector about delays in the regulator's processes. The Minister for Building Safety said the package is intended to enhance operations, reduce delays and unlock homes, while keeping residents' safety at the heart of the process.

Who is affected and what happens next

Developers, contractors, designers and building owners with applications for higher-risk residential buildings, and those carrying out remediation, are most directly affected. The substantive safety requirements of the Building Safety Act 2022 and the building regulations are unchanged by the announcement. Further detail on the transfer, the Fast Track Process and the path towards a single construction regulator is expected as the new body is set up, and the government says it is working with industry to help applicants meet requirements and reduce rejected applications.

Sources

• GOV.UK: Reforms to Building Safety Regulator to accelerate housebuilding (30 June 2025)
• legislation.gov.uk: Building Safety Act 2022