Written questions by Riddell-Carpenter.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to review it's guidance on competent person schemes: conditions of authorisation.

The Building Safety Regulator is responsible for oversight of the competent person schemes and has committed in its Strategic Plan 2023-2026 to carry out a review of the conditions of authorisation, which must be met by all competent person schemes to ensure they are fit for purpose. In addition, the department is always looking to improve public and building safety and intends to review the operation of competent person schemes to identify whether improvements can be made, working with the Building Safety Regulator. This will include reviewing the types of work that can be carried out under the competent person schemes. We will consider whether and how this review might touch on third party certification schemes.

Communities and Local Government, how many (a) directions to apply for a building assessment certificate have been issued, (b) applications for a building assessment certificate had been received, (c) building safety certificates have been issued by and (d) applications for a building assessment certificate have been refused by the Building Safety Regulator.

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) advised the Department on 26 March 2025 that: (a) 1454 directions have been issued(b) 1368 BAC applications have been submitted(c) 12 Building Assessment Certificates have been issued(d) 1 application has been refused The BSR have also set out that in year 1, the first tranche of buildings have been directed based on meeting at least one of the following criteria:over 30 metres to 49.99 metres high with more than 217 residential unitsover 50 metres high with more than 11 residential unitsclad with combustible aluminium composite materialbuildings of large panel system construction built between 1956 and 1973 with a gas supply, where it was unclear if reinforcement work has been carried out. Plans for future tranches are still being determined.

Communities and Local Government, if she will publish the full tranching model from the Building Safety Regulator setting out the approach to be taken for calling in applications for building assessment certificates for existing higher-risk buildings.

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) advised the Department on 26 March 2025 that: (a) 1454 directions have been issued(b) 1368 BAC applications have been submitted(c) 12 Building Assessment Certificates have been issued(d) 1 application has been refused The BSR have also set out that in year 1, the first tranche of buildings have been directed based on meeting at least one of the following criteria:over 30 metres to 49.99 metres high with more than 217 residential unitsover 50 metres high with more than 11 residential unitsclad with combustible aluminium composite materialbuildings of large panel system construction built between 1956 and 1973 with a gas supply, where it was unclear if reinforcement work has been carried out. Plans for future tranches are still being determined.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to review the types of building work that can be undertaken through (a) competent person schemes and (b) third party certification schemes.

The Building Safety Regulator is responsible for oversight of the competent person schemes and has committed in its Strategic Plan 2023-2026 to carry out a review of the conditions of authorisation, which must be met by all competent person schemes to ensure they are fit for purpose. In addition, the department is always looking to improve public and building safety and intends to review the operation of competent person schemes to identify whether improvements can be made, working with the Building Safety Regulator. This will include reviewing the types of work that can be carried out under the competent person schemes. We will consider whether and how this review might touch on third party certification schemes.

Communities and Local Government, if she will publish (a) the assessment criteria and (b) other relevant documentation used by the Building Safety Regulator when determining decisions for building assessment certificate applications.

The Building Safety Regulator is required by Section 81(2) of the Building Safety Act 2022 to assess applications for a building assessment certificate received from principal accountable persons. The Regulator has developed criteria for assessors to use based on the requirements of the Act and associated regulations.The criteria used to assess building assessment certificate applications will be published in the next few weeks on the Building Safety Regulator’s website (https://buildingsafety.campaign.gov.uk/). The Regulator will promote the publication of the criteria using social media and via key industry stakeholders.

Communities and Local Government, what steps the Building Safety Regulator takes to ensure a (a) consistent and (b) transparent approach in determining decisions for building assessment certificate applications.

The Building Safety Regulator is required by Section 81(2) of the Building Safety Act 2022 to assess applications for a building assessment certificate received from principal accountable persons. The Regulator has developed criteria for assessors to use based on the requirements of the Act and associated regulations.The criteria used to assess building assessment certificate applications will be published in the next few weeks on the Building Safety Regulator’s website (https://buildingsafety.campaign.gov.uk/). The Regulator will promote the publication of the criteria using social media and via key industry stakeholders.