Corporate report

Annual Report February 2026: vulnerable people and Phase 1

Published 25 February 2026

Recommendation 56 

Inquiry reference	Status	Responsibility	Accepted
113.78	Complete	National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC)	In full

Recommendation 

That what in the past has been called by the police a “casualty bureau” be described in a way that makes it clear that it does not provide information to the public about people affected by the emergency. (113.78) 

What we have done 

As set out in our February 2025 response, the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) have delivered this recommendation to make clear that the casualty bureau does not provide information to the public about people affected by emergencies. 

This recommendation is complete and has been fully discharged.

Recommendation 57 

Inquiry reference	Status	Responsibility	Accepted
113.82	In progress	Government	In full

Recommendation 

That further consideration be given to the recommendations made in the Phase 1 report in the light of our findings in this report. 

What we have done 

The government addressed Phase 1 recommendations 33.22.C, 33.22.E and 33.22.F in the response to the Emergency Evacuation Information Sharing Plus (EEIS+) consultation published on 2 December 2024. 

In relation to Phase 1 recommendations, for recommendation 33.22.D, statutory guidance was updated for Evacuation Alert Systems in all new blocks of flats over 18 metres. In the broader fire and building safety environment there have been notable improvements including training for fire and rescue services regarding evacuations in serious emergencies. 

Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (Residential PEEPs) are different from the Phase 1 Inquiry recommendation but has the same aim to improve fire safety and evacuation of vulnerable residents. 

The Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 were laid on 4 July 2025. These regulations mandate Residential PEEPs in high-rise and higher-risk residential buildings. One further element of this work will be delivered through primary legislation. This work closed recommendations 59 and 61. 

Recommendation 60 will be complete when primary legislation is passed which will extend mandatory person-centred fire risk assessments into residents’ flat to add the final element of the Residential PEEPs policy. 

Implementation Timeline 

2025 to 2026 (when parliamentary time allows) 

• The implementation of this recommendation is being done through the delivery of recommendations 59-61. 

Recommendation 58 

Inquiry reference	Status	Responsibility	Accepted
113.83	Complete	Government	In full

Recommendation 

That the advice contained in paragraph 79.11 of the LGA Guide be reconsidered. 

What we have done 

The Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 were laid on 4 July 2025 which mandates Residential PEEPs and applies to all high-rise residential buildings and medium-rise residential building with simultaneous evacuation strategies in place. 

Following the laying of the regulations, guidance on Residential PEEPs has been produced. Draft guidance was circulated to disability advocacy groups and other stakeholders for comment. After circulation, the guidance on the issues covered in paragraph 79.11 in the Local Government Association guidance was published in December, as the Residential PEEPs: Guidance for Responsible Persons. 

This recommendation is now closed and has been fully discharged. 

Recommendations 59 and 61 

Inquiry reference	Status	Responsibility	Accepted
33.22.C	Complete	Government	In full
33.22.F	Complete	Government	In full

Recommendations 

59: That the owner and manager of every high-rise residential building be required by law to draw up and keep under regular review evacuation plans, copies of which are to be provided in electronic and paper form to their local fire and rescue service and placed in an information box on the premises. (33.22.C) 

61: That the owner and manager of every high-rise residential building be required by law to include up-to-date information about persons with reduced mobility and their associated personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs) in the premises information box. (33.22.F) 

What we have done 

The Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 were laid on 4 July 2025. This mandates Residential PEEPs in high-rise and higher-risk residential buildings. 

Under the regulations, residents with disabilities or impairments will have a person-centred fire risk assessment to identify equipment and adjustments to aid their fire safety, evacuation and a ‘Residential PEEPs statement’ recording what they should do in a fire. Fire and rescue services will also receive information on vulnerable residents in case they need to support their evacuation. The resident’s consent is required throughout the process. Further information on why we are doing this and what the regulations mean in practice can be found in the Residential PEEPs: Factsheet. 

These recommendations are now complete and have been fully discharged. 

Recommendation 60 

Inquiry reference	Status	Responsibility	Accepted
33.22.E	In progress	Government	In principle

Recommendation 

That the owner and manager of every high-rise residential building be required by law to prepare personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs) for all residents whose ability to self-evacuate may be compromised (such as persons with reduced mobility or cognition). 

What we have done 

The Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 were laid on 4 July 2025. This mandates Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (Residential PEEPs) in high-rise and higher-risk residential buildings, with the one further element to be delivered through primary legislation expected in 2026. 

The government committed funding for 2025/26 to begin this work by helping social housing providers to deliver Residential PEEPs for their renters. We are currently in the process of securing funding following the Spending Review that will cover up to 2029/30. The funding recognises that social housing providers are under pressure to deliver a range of reforms at present as well as to improve and replenish their stock. 

We published statutory guidance to Responsible Persons to support their implementation of Residential PEEPs on 2 December 2025. 

This recommendation will be complete when primary legislation is passed which will extend mandatory person-centred fire risk assessments into residents’ flat to add the final element of the Residential PEEPs policy. 

Implementation Timeline 

2025 

• Guidance to be published in autumn 2025. – Complete 

2026 (when parliamentary time allows) 

• Introduction of primary legislation to complete one element of the policy.