John Baron MP: Government should do more on cladding and fire safety

MP’s name remains on Fire Safety Bill amendment

The Government has announced a £3.5 billion fund to replace unsafe cladding for all leaseholders in residential buildings which are 18 metres or higher. In buildings that are lower, loans will be available to pay for unsafe cladding removal, with leaseholders’ payments capped at £50 a month. This is in addition to the £1.6 billion announced last year for the removal of unsafe cladding. The Government will levy a tax on housing developers to help pay for these costs. However, this fund does not help leaseholders who have fire safety problems for reasons other than cladding. These can include problems with insulation, flammable material in balconies, insurance costs or the costs of fire marshals. John Baron MP has signed an amendment to the Fire Safety Bill which states that leaseholders should not be liable for putting fire safety costs right.

John said,

“I welcome the Government’s announcement. However, more still needs to be done on cladding for those leaseholders occupying properties below the 18-metre limit. For those fire safety issues beyond cladding, which have been found to be sub-standard following Grenfell, leaseholders should also not be on the hook for these costs because once again these problems are not of their making.”

“People should not have to pay if it is not their fault. I hope the Government will reflect on these matters further, and my name remains on the Fire Safety Bill amendment for the time being.”