Seventh Report: Cladding Remediation—Follow-up

The government commits to publishing information in data releases as soon as appropriate and details its current monthly and quarterly publications on the progress of ACM cladding remediation and the Building Safety Fund for buildings 18 metres and above.

The government commits to publishing information when appropriate and currently provides monthly updates on ACM cladding and the Building Safety Fund for non-ACM cladding on buildings 18m and above. It does not explicitly commit to a single monthly data release covering all non-ACM cladding and other fire safety defects, including buildings between 11m and 18m, as requested.

The government rejects the implied need for a 'Comprehensive Building Safety Fund' as it believes it would lead to unnecessary remediation works and negative market impacts, advocating for a proportionate approach instead.

The government rejects the recommendation to establish a 'Comprehensive Building Safety Fund,' arguing it would lead to unnecessary remediation, negatively impact the housing market, and counter their proportionate, risk-based approach to building safety.

The government rejects the recommendation for a comprehensive building safety fund, arguing it would lead to unnecessary remediation, negative market impacts, and delays. It highlights its proportionate approach and existing provisions under the Building Safety Act 2022 for non-cladding costs.

The government rejected the recommendation to establish a comprehensive, uncapped building safety fund, arguing it would drive unnecessary remediation and negatively impact the housing market by exacerbating incorrect risk perceptions.

The government stated that social housing providers already have access to the Social Sector ACM Cladding Remediation Fund and the Building Safety Fund under certain conditions, and can claim for costs chargeable to leaseholders, but did not commit to new full and equal access or update fund contracts as recommended.

The government's response did not address the committee's concerns about the proposed loan scheme for 11-18m buildings or the principle of leaseholders not paying, instead responding to an unrelated recommendation about a comprehensive building safety fund.

The government rejected the recommendation to abolish the loan scheme and establish a comprehensive fund, arguing it would lead to unnecessary work and negative market impacts, instead reiterating its proportionate approach and provisions in the Building Safety Act 2022.

The government partially accepted the recommendation by agreeing that those responsible should contribute and stating it will use powers in the Building Safety Act to compel construction product manufacturers, and noted it has consulted on the impacts of the building safety levy, but did not commit to extending the developer levy or dedicating it to a comprehensive fund.

The government accepted the recommendation, stating it agrees that responsible parties should contribute, and will use powers in the Building Safety Act to compel construction product manufacturers to contribute to remediation costs, with a new Recovery Unit to pursue firms.

The government acknowledges the burden of interim costs and has launched a £35 million Waking Watch Relief Fund and a further £27 million Waking Watch Replacement Fund to install fire alarms in buildings of all heights, aiming to end reliance on Waking Watch measures.

The government has deferred direct action, stating that the Secretary of State called on the FCA and CMA to review buildings insurance premiums, with recommendations expected in summer 2022, rather than setting a deadline for the industry or committing to intervention.

The government acknowledged the recommendation for an assessment of the housing market impact and noted it had already launched a consultation on the building safety levy's impact, stating it is considering feedback and will update in due course, but did not address the request to ask the Prudential Regulation Authority for an assessment.

The government's response did not address the specific recommendations to ensure social housing providers have full access to the waking watch relief fund or to publish an impact assessment on the effects of fire safety remediation on social housing provision.

The government acknowledged the negative mental health impact of the building safety crisis and stated it is working to ensure all people receive the mental health support they need, but did not commit to the specific actions recommended.