The Architects Registration Board (ARB) has today welcomed the publication of the Single Construction Regulator Prospectus by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

ARB welcomes the government’s statement today which sets out its commitment to improving the quality of regulation in the built environment with a renewed focus on regulatory outcomes and a plan to reduce fragmentation.

Hugh Simpson, Chief Executive and Registrar of ARB, said:
 

We welcome the government’s commitment to rationalise and strengthen the system of regulatory oversight and enforcement for the professions in the built environment. We will continue to share our expertise, as we have done through our participation in the Single Construction Regulator Advisory Board, and to work constructively with government and other built environment stakeholders. We look forward to contributing to the call for evidence on regulation of professions which the government is planning for spring 2026.
 

ARB has taken a number of steps since the Grenfell Tower tragedy to strengthen our own regulatory framework. These include the introduction of a new statutory CPD scheme, the strengthening of fire and life safety design requirements through initial education and training of architects in the UK, and stressing the importance of acting in the public interest through the new Architects Code of Conduct and Practice.
 

ARB agrees with government that this is a generational opportunity to enable better, clearer regulation. We have been discussing with government opportunities through their consultation to review regulation of title ‘architect’ and consider alternative ways to increase the efficiency of pre-construction design and increase consumer and business confidence including regulated activities in architecture.

The government will publish a call for evidence in spring 2026 to seek detailed views on targeted proposals for reform and a future regulatory framework.

 

 

About ARB 

 

ARB is an independent professional regulator, established by Parliament as a statutory body, through the Architects Act, in 1997. We are accountable to government.  The law gives ARB a number of core functions:   

• To ensure only those who are suitably competent are allowed to practise as architects. We do this by approving the architecture qualifications required to join the Register of Architects.  
• To maintain a publicly available Register of Architects so anyone using the services of an architect can be confident that they are suitably qualified and are fit to practise.  
• To set the standards of conduct and practice the profession must meet and take action when any architect falls below the required standards of conduct or competence.  
• To set requirements for and monitor the continuous professional development that architects must undertake, to provide assurance to the public about the continuing competence of the profession.  
• To protect the legally restricted title ‘architect’.