The building industry, local authorities and home owners will all benefit from a shake-up to the building control system proposed by Housing Minister Caroline Flint today which cracks down on illegal construction.

The "Future of Building Control" consultation recommends a more efficient risk-based inspection process for local authorities that focuses on the most dangerous failings. Good builders who comply with them will be relieved of the burden of unnecessary inspections, while cowboy builders will face tougher scrutiny. A more systematic approach to the review of building regulations will also give the industry more certainty and allow better forward planning.

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Housing Minister Caroline Flint said: "Home owners have the right to expect their homes to be built and renovated to minimum standards set out in building regulations. I want to make life more difficult for the cowboy builders that are out there whilst letting the high-quality majority of the industry get on with the job. This should reduce the cost and burden of the process on both the industry and local authorities."

Visitors to the Ideal Home Show will get the chance to respond to the consultation directly, through an interactive touch-screen kiosk at the Department for Communities and Local Government stand.

Responding to today's consultation, David McCullogh, Chair of the Building Control Alliance, said: "These proposals will make a real difference to the building control system, shaping it to meet the challenges that the profession faces today. We are determined to deliver a modernised and strengthened service and will continue to work closely with Government to achieve this."

(CD/JM)