The government has announced the appointment of Professor Sergio Cavalaro as the independent Chief Construction and Scientific Adviser (CCSA) for a three-year term. Professor Cavalaro, from Loughborough University, will provide expert advice on building safety, quality, and resilience, as well as productivity within the built environment sector.
This appointment is part of the government's ongoing efforts to improve the building safety system, following recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry report. The CCSA will also support the implementation of remaining Inquiry recommendations and regulatory reforms.
Concurrently, the Building Safety Levy came into force on 1 October. This levy applies to new eligible residential developments of more than 10 units and is projected to generate around £3.4 billion over the next ten years. The funds are intended to support building safety works, including the removal of dangerous cladding, aiming to ensure the industry contributes to fixing defects and protecting leaseholders and taxpayers.