John Baron MP supports Fire Safety Bill Amendment

MP: Leaseholders should not be liable to fix problems not of their making

This afternoon the House of Commons voted on amendments to the Fire Safety Bill, which included an amendment by the Bishop of St Albans which would have ensured that leaseholders were not liable for the costs of remedial works to their properties to fix fire safety problems which are not of their making. This amendment followed on from amendments tabled by Royston Smith MP and Stephen McPartland MP at earlier stages of the Bill, which were supported by John Baron MP. John also supported the Bishop of St Albans’ amendment this afternoon, which was defeated by 320 votes to 256.

John said,

“It is disappointing that this amendment was defeated, as leaseholders should not be liable for remedial costs to fix fire safety problems which are not of their making.”

“While the Government has taken some positive steps in the right direction when it comes to cladding, fire safety issues go much wider than cladding and many leaseholders would still not be covered by the Government’s proposed schemes.”

“Once again, I urge the Government to go the extra mile and fix this unfairness.”