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At the start of July 2026, the government published its responses to two earlier consultations on reducing  the scope of work subject to the higher-risk building (HRB) regime (Consultation outcome: Proportionality in building control: categorisation of higher-risk building work and Consultation Outcome: Improving proportionality and safety outcomes in building control: telecommunications work) and also launched a new consultation on the application of the HRB regime to emergency repairs (Consultation: Improving proportionality and building safety outcomes in building control: emergency repairs under the higher-risk building regime). Alongside this, it announced new funding to support the remediation of unsafe cladding on multi-occupied residential buildings under 11 metres in England (Guidance: Buildings under 11 metres: new funding and Guidance: Buildings under 11 metres: leaseholders' and residents' guide).  This Insight considers the key takeaways from each of these developments.

On 14 July 2026, the Office for Equality and Opportunity launched a 15-week consultation proposing the most significant overhaul of UK equal pay law since the Equal Pay Act 1970. The consultation period closes on 27 October 2026 and, while nothing is yet law, assuming the proposals are adopted, primary legislation will follow, with a two-stage implementation strategy. The strategy is clear - fix the current system, then extend it further.