What's Happening?
Building safety minister Samantha Dixon has ruled out increasing wages to attract more building control inspectors to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR). During a Westminster Hall debate, Dixon stated that while the government plans to recruit 100 more inspectors by
December, higher salaries are not part of the strategy. The BSR faces delays in processing gateway two higher-risk building applications, with 22,000 homes awaiting remediation decisions and 33,000 new homes pending approval. The government has established an innovation unit to address these delays and is working on a long-term workforce strategy to enhance system-wide capacity.
Why It's Important?
The decision to not increase pay for building control inspectors highlights the challenges in addressing the shortage of skilled specialists in the construction sector. The BSR's delays in processing applications have significant implications for the housing market, potentially hindering the government's target of building 1.5 million homes. The backlog affects project approvals, causing frustration among developers and stakeholders. A comprehensive workforce strategy is essential to ensure the BSR can effectively manage its responsibilities and support the construction industry's growth.
What's Next?
The BSR is expected to resolve the backlog of gateway two applications by the end of the year. The introduction of dedicated points of contact for large developers aims to streamline the application process and address issues promptly. The BSR, in collaboration with the Construction Leadership Council, will publish new industry guidance to assist applicants. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to improve the BSR's efficiency and support the construction sector's objectives.
