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Recommendation 42Ìý

Inquiry reference	Status	Responsibility	Accepted
113.67	In progress	Government	In full

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That the [Civil Contingencies] Act [2004] be reviewed and consideration be given to granting a designated Secretary of State the power to carry out the functions of a Category 1 responder in its place for a limitedÌýperiod of time.Ìý

What we have done

The Cabinet Office has, with support from all sponsoring departments for Category 1 responders, conducted a review of wider relevant legislation toÌýidentifyÌýexisting powers of intervention available and whether there are any gaps. As well asÌýidentifyingÌýlegislative powers, we have also reviewed non-legislative interventions available to departments.Ìý

As part of the review of powers of intervention under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, Cabinet OfficeÌýisÌýseeking further legal assurance on a small number of possible scenarios to understand whether they fall under the scope of existing powers of intervention available under Sections 5 and 7 of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.Ìý

Based on the findings of the review, Cabinet Office will formulate legislative and non-legislative proposals for how the government could strengthen the support provided to local responders during a response to an emergency, alongsideÌýappropriate routesÌýfor intervention where necessary. Any recommendations for legislative change would be made through the Post Implementation Review of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.Ìý

Recommendation 43Ìý

Inquiry reference	Status	Responsibility	Accepted
113.68	In progress	Government	In principle

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Regulation 23 of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (Contingency Planning) Regulations 2005 requires a Category 1 responder to have regard when making its plans to the activities of relevant voluntary organisations. We therefore recommend that the regulation be amended to require Category 1 responders toÌýestablishÌýand maintain partnerships with the voluntary, community and faith organisations in the areas in which theyÌýare responsible forÌýpreparing for and responding to emergencies.Ìý

What we have done

The government accepted this recommendation in principle and committed to undertaking a consultation to assess the proportionality of an enhanced statutory duty. In July 2025, we launched a public consultation to collect information on the potential impacts of strengthening Regulation 23 within the Civil Contingencies Act, and to explore whether there are other avenues to achieve improved engagement between Category 1 emergency responders and voluntary, community and faith sector (VCFS) organisations.Ìý

The Stronger Partnerships consultation closed in September 2025 and received 165 completed responses, collecting valuable data on the complex potential effects of an enhanced statutory duty. The government published theÌýpublic responseÌýto the consultation in December 2025. The data revealed that there is no consensus in favour of oneÌýparticular courseÌýof action, and a difference in views between the groups within some elements. It is therefore not clear, at this stage, that amending the regulation for partnership working would meet the intent of the Grenfell Tower recommendation.Ìý

The government has committed to undertaking further analysis on the data and considering alternative options, including non-regulatory changes to strengthen partnership working. A final decision on regulatory changes will be taken as part of the post-implementation review of the Civil Contingencies Act in 2027, and weÌýanticipateÌýnon-regulatory changes to strengthen partnership working to be implemented sooner.Ìý

Recommendation 44Ìý

Inquiry reference	Status	Responsibility	Accepted
113.69	In progress	Government	In full

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The current guidance on preparing for emergencies is contained in several documents, all of which are unduly longÌýand in some respectsÌýout of date. We recommend that the guidance be revised, reduced in length and consolidated in one document which lays greater emphasis on the need for those leading the response to consider the requirements for recovery, the need to identify vulnerable people, the importance of identifying and ensuring co-operation with voluntary, community and faith groups and is consistent with the Equality Act 2010.Ìý

What we have done:Ìý

As the first steps in modernising critical guidance, the Cabinet Office published:Ìý

• Revised guidance onÌý. The new publication included feedback from local responders, voluntary, charity and faith sector representative groups.Ìý

• An updated Central Government Concept of Operations for Emergency Response and Recovery (HMG CONOPs), which is called theÌýÌý– Managing crises in central government. As part of this update, the guidance specifically recognises the need for humanitarian considerations.Ìý

To makeÌýtheÌýgovernment’s resilience guidance more accessible for practitioners, we have launched a newÌý°Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï pageÌýto collate all relevant guidance, aiming to make the information simpler to find and use.Ìý

Alongside these publications, Cabinet Office has undertakenÌýan initialÌýreview of government’s existing resilience guidance toÌýdetermineÌýwhat information can be withdrawn, as it has been superseded, or beÌýconsolidatedÌýinto other existing guidance. This review has also looked toÌýidentifyÌýwhat guidance should be updated as a priority, as well defining what the future catalogue of guidance should look like.ÌýÌý

As a next step, in 2026 we will be working to engage stakeholders on the outcomes of this review and set out a programme of updates.Ìý

Recommendation 45Ìý

Inquiry reference	Status	Responsibility	Accepted
113.69	In progress	Government	In full

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That regard for humanitarian considerations be expressly recognised by making it the ninth principle of effective response and recovery.Ìý

What we have doneÌý

In July 2025, the Cabinet Office published theÌý. This includes a summary of actions to support vulnerable people. The government engaged with a range of organisations when reviewing our approach to resilience, including representatives from the voluntary, community and faith sector, who work tirelessly to support those who can so often be the most impacted in emergencies. We are committed to ensuring that our national and local emergency planning is moreÌýclosely connectedÌýwith our communities and the people we serve.Ìý

As a first step, we updated the government’s Amber Book, including guidance to ensure that humanitarian considerations are recognised in national emergency responses. This work aims to ensure that impacts to people in emergencies are better considered in national and local emergency planning and response.Ìý

We have also developed a National Resilience Standard on Human Aspects, to help emergency responders and Local Resilience Forums (LRFs) inÌýidentifyingÌýand addressing the psychosocial needs of people affected by an emergency. The National Resilience Standards set out consistent expectations of leading practice, providing clarity and updated guidance to LRFs.Ìý

The Cabinet Office has worked with the Social and Behavioural Science for Emergencies working group, run by the Government Office for Science, to develop new guidance to improve the identification and assessment of disproportionate impacts of emergencies to Vulnerable People in the National Security Risk Assessment (NSRA). The guidance was issued to Lead Government Departments in November 2025. Work is underway to review the NSRAÌýmethodology, to deliver a more effective assessment of vulnerability duringÌýcrises, andÌýmake this more accessible toÌýpolicy-makersÌýand operational leaders undertaking planning and preparedness activities. There is also ongoing work across government toÌýidentifyÌýbest practise and gaps in existing support for thoseÌýimpactedÌýby emergencies.Ìý

Government will continue to work with relevant departments and local emergency planners, to develop suitable guidance which supports embedding humanitarian considerations within emergency preparedness and response activity.Ìý

Recommendation 46Ìý

Inquiry reference	Status	Responsibility	Accepted
113.70	In progress	Local authorities	In full

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EventsÌýdemonstrated, however, that there is a need for a clearer understanding of the nature of the London Gold arrangements,Ìýin particular inÌýsituations in which a single borough is affected. We therefore recommend that the guidance on the operation of those arrangements be revised and that existing and newly appointed chief executives be given regular training to ensure they are familiar with its principles.Ìý

What we have doneÌýÌý

All relevant documentation supporting regional local authority response system have been reviewed by a Standardisation Board which reports to the Local Authority Regional Resilience Board. Additionally, briefings for new Chief Executives to London now include more emphasis on the need for early engagement with affected local authorities and their involvement in all Strategic Coordination Group meetings.ÌýÌý

The final consultation on London Local Authority Gold Operating procedures has been completed by LondonÌýlocalÌýauthorities. The updated version of the procedures was circulated to all LondonÌýlocalÌýauthorities in September 2025.Ìý

The London Local Authority Concept of Operations, which includes all elements of the local and regional local authority response and recovery system isÌýin the process of beingÌýreviewed and the next iteration will be published by the end of March 2026.Ìý

A new local authority specific regional gold training offer has been developed over the past year. This training is focused on chief executives, senior officers on the aspiring chief executives programme and officers on local gold rotas. To date, three courses have beenÌýdeliveredÌýand a further course is scheduled to take place in February 2026. This course is now embedded into the annual London local authority regional training programme. From April 2026, the focus will be on delivering a minimum of four courses per year and developing a refresher training to complement the main course. The pilot refresher course is expected to take place towards the end of 2026.Ìý

Recommendation 47Ìý

Inquiry reference	Status	Responsibility	Accepted
113.71	In progress	Government	In full

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That local resilience forums adopt national standards to ensure effective training, preparation and planning for emergencies and adopt independent auditing schemes toÌýidentifyÌýdeficiencies and secure compliance.Ìý

What we have doneÌý

MHCLG selectedÌýfiveÌýlocal resilience forums in England to join the Stronger Local Resilience Forums (LRF) trailblazer programme. This was launched in April 2025 and included Cumbria LRF, Greater Manchester LRF, London LRF, Northumbria LRF and Suffolk LRF. In September 2025, MHCLG issued grant funding to allÌýfiveÌýLocal Resilience Forum trailblazers. Following the receipt of this funding allÌýfiveÌýLRF trailblazers have been implementing their plans, andÌýfourÌýChief Resilience Officers are in post.ÌýÌý

In support of this work, MHCLG has begun a national community of practice forum, which has met twice since the programme started in April. Over the next year,ÌýMHCLG will continue to work closely with these LRFs to deliver the aims of the trailblazer programme to strengthen the leadership and accountability of local resilience and to integrate resilience into wider aspects of localÌýpolicy-making.ÌýÌý

MHCLG established a national working group to design a new national peer review protocol for local resilience forums and invited five LRFs toÌýrepresentÌýall regions of the country. We have held six meetings, during which the groupÌýidentifiedÌýthe core components needed for a protocol and is currently working to finalise a draft.ÌýÌý

During 2026 the working group will develop a protocol before the process is rolled out later in the year.Ìý

Recommendation 48Ìý

Inquiry reference	Status	Responsibility	Accepted
113.71	In progress	Government	In principle

¸é±ð³¦´Ç³¾³¾±ð²Ô»å²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²ÔÌý

That a mechanism be introduced for independently verifying the frequency and quality of training provided by local authorities and other Category 1 responders.Ìý

What we have doneÌý

MHCLG has been working on proposals to scope a process for local authorities to report on the quality and frequency of training and development.ÌýÌý

From this work, MHCLG hasÌýidentifiedÌýexisting arrangements that local government could use to report on the quality and frequency of training.ÌýÌý

MHCLG will continue to work closely with the UK Resilience Academy and Local Government Association to fully scope a process and will test the proposals with the sector in 2026 before the process is rolled out later in the year.ÌýÌý

Recommendation 49Ìý

Inquiry reference	Status	Responsibility	Accepted
113.73	In progress	Local authorities	In full

¸é±ð³¦´Ç³¾³¾±ð²Ô»å²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²ÔÌý

That local authorities train all their employees, including chief executives, to regard resilience as an integral part of their responsibilities.Ìý

What we have doneÌý

Throughout 2025, MHCLG has worked with the Cabinet Office, the UK Resilience Academy, the Local Government Association (LGA)Ìýand Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) to develop and finalise a local resilience training programme for local authority chief executives and officers. Commercial and funding arrangements for this were agreed in December 2025.ÌýThe first national working group to design the curriculum for this programme was held in October 2025, with further sessions planned for 2026.ÌýÌý

The UK Resilience Academy, the Local Government Association and Society of Local Authority Chief Executives will pilotÌýan initialÌýtraining offer to local authority chief executives by spring 2026. During 2026 the partnership will design and create a suite of e-learning modules covering the resilience role of local government. These will be made available to all local authorities in England to include within their own resilience training curriculum.ÌýÌý

Pending the outcome of the pilot by spring 2026, delivery of the face-to-face training offer and action learning sets for Chief Executives will take place.ÌýAn initialÌý60 local authority chief executives will be invited toÌýparticipateÌýin the programme in 2026/27, 2027/28 and 2028/29.ÌýÌý

Alongside this, MHCLG will work with the UK Resilience Academy, the Local Government Association and Society of Local Authority Chief Executives to develop plans for continuing the offer beyond theÌýinitialÌýfunded period.ÌýÌý

Recommendations 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 and 55Ìý

Inquiry reference	Status	Responsibility	Accepted
113.74	In progress	Local authorities	In full
113.75	In progress	Local authorities	In full
113.76	In progress	Local authorities	In full
113.76	In progress	Local authorities	In full
113.77	In progress	Local authorities	In full
113.78	In progress	Local authorities	In full

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50: Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) had no effective means of collecting and recording information about those who had been displaced from the tower and surrounding buildings, including those who were missing. Compiling reliable information of that kind is difficult and the challenges likely to be faced by local authority Category 1 responders will vary according to the nature of the emergency. We recommend that all local authorities devise methods of obtaining and recording information of that kind, ifÌýpossibleÌýin electronic form, and practise putting them into operation under a variety of different circumstances.Ìý

51: That all local authorities make such arrangements as are reasonablyÌýpracticableÌýfor enabling them to place people in temporary accommodation at short notice and in ways that meet their personal,ÌýreligiousÌýand cultural requirements. Such arrangements should, as far as possible, involve local providers of social housing.ÌýÌý

52: That all local authorities include in their contingency plans arrangements for providing immediate financialÌýassistanceÌýto people affected by an emergency.ÌýÌý

53: That as part of their planning for emergencies local authoritiesÌýgive detailed consideration toÌýthe availability of key workers and theÌýroleÌýthey are expected to play so that suitable contingency arrangements can be made to ensure, as far as possible, continuity of support.ÌýÌý

54: That as part of their emergency planning local authorities make effective arrangements for continuing communication with those who needÌýassistanceÌýusing the most suitable technology and a range of languagesÌýappropriate toÌýthe area.Ìý

55: That all local authorities include in their plans for responding to emergencies arrangements for providing information to the public by whatever combination of modern methods of communication are likely to be most effective for the areas for which they are responsible.Ìý

What we have doneÌý

MHCLG has been working with the Cabinet Office, the Department for Education (DfE), the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) and local authorities to consider the best approach to highlight these responsibilities in guidance in conjunction with recommendation 44.ÌýÌý

From September to December, MHCLG has met with the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, the Association of Directors of Children’s Services, DHSC, DfE and the Local Government Association to support this work.ÌýÌý

In 2026, MHCLG intends to review and publish ‘Local Authorities’ Preparedness for Civil Emergencies (2018) to highlight in guidance the key duties on local authorities for civil emergencies, including those raised by the Grenfell Inquiry report. MHCLG will do this with the Local Government Association and Society of Local Authority Chief Executives to ensure current sector leading practice informs the review, and in conjunction with the curriculum developed in response to recommendation 49.ÌýÌý

MHCLG will continue to work closely with Cabinet Office toÌýidentifyÌýfurther opportunities in the year ahead to further clarify the expectations and duties on local authorities for civil emergencies, in conjunction with recommendation 44.Ìý