New research has highlighted ongoing challenges around compliance in the facilities management sector, with only 54% of teams confident in their organisation’s ability to meet requirements – a 9% drop compared to last year.

The findings come from the State of Facilities Management 2026 Report, published by SFG20, which surveyed nearly 200 FM professionals across the UK. Encouragingly, 72% of respondents identified improving compliance and safety as their top priority for the year ahead.

However, the report also points to significant barriers. Budget constraints were cited as the biggest challenge, with 30% of organisations reporting reduced budgets compared to last year. In addition, over half of FM teams reported understaffing, while only a quarter consider themselves ready to adopt AI-driven solutions.

These pressures are particularly relevant for higher-risk activities such as work at height, where maintaining competence, inspection regimes and safe systems of work is critical.

Kirsty Cogan, managing director of SFG20, noted that while there is strong commitment across the sector to raising standards, progress is often constrained by competing demands on time, resources and investment.

For organisations responsible for managing buildings and infrastructure, the findings reinforce the importance of prioritising competence, planning and robust safety systems to ensure compliance – and protect those working at height.