A national survey conducted by SFG20 has revealed that 3 in 5 Brits are more concerned about building safety following tragedies such as the Grenfell Tower fire, with 21% stating their worries have ‘significantly increased’.
The findings also reveal over one in six (17%) Brits have noticed visible structural issues in a building they have lived or worked in.
The 2024 Building Safety Report, conducted by SFG20 – the industry standard for building maintenance – surveyed 1,500 people across 15 UK cities to highlight their perceptions of the safety and maintenance of their local buildings.
The report comes after the UK government has faced increased scrutiny over the last few years following the Grenfell Tower Fire tragedy and the RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) scandal, causing nationwide apprehensions around building integrity.
One in five (19%) members of the British public expressed their concerns about the health and safety of the building they live in, with mould, poor ventilation and dampness being some of the biggest issues raised.
Breaking this down by region, London is the region most concerned about the safety of local buildings, with 69% of London residents stating they were worried about the safety and maintenance of buildings in their areas. London is followed by Manchester (58%) and Leicester (55%).
Concerns were raised over the government’s efforts to maintain and improve buildings in their area, with 30% saying they felt dissatisfied with the government’s efforts and 30% distrusting that local buildings are safe in accordance with current building safety standards.
Jason Instrell, Industry Lead at SFG20, said: “It is concerning to see an overwhelming majority of the British public concerned with the safety of their local buildings.
Over the last decade, the UK has seen a string of events that have placed the maintenance of local infrastructure under a particularly intense spotlight. The use of RAAC in schools, Grenfell Tower and Dagenham Tower block fires has led the public to question the importance and overall safety of our buildings, both commercial and residential.
The introduction of the Building Safety Act in 2022 saw stricter rules on the safety of buildings and it remains the UK government’s responsibility to ensure the public feels safe and educated about the maintenance of these buildings. We hope this report will show the UK government the immediacy and attention required to uphold the safety of the buildings we live and work in.”
