John Baron MP votes for leaseholder amendments to Fire Safety Bill

MP says Government should go the extra mile

Last night the House of Commons voted on the Lords Amendments to the Fire Safety Bill, which included amendments tabled by the Bishops of St Albans and London which would have ensured that leaseholders were not liable for the costs of remedial works to their properties to fix fire safety problems. The amendments were similar to those tabled by Stephen McPartland MP and Royston Smith MP in the House of Commons earlier this year, which John Baron MP supported but which were not able to be voted upon on 25th February due to a lack of Parliamentary time.

Last night, John voted in support of the amendments, along with 29 other Conservatives, but they were defeated by a majority of 69.

John said,

“It is disappointing that the amendments were defeated last night. However, it is clear many MPs share the view that leaseholders should not be landed with the costs of fixing fire safety problems which are not of their making.”

“The Government has taken some positive steps in the right direction on cladding, but these fire safety issues go much wider than cladding and many leaseholders would still not be covered by the Government’s proposed schemes. I would urge the Government to go the extra mile and, in the spirit of the amendments last night, ensure that leaseholders do not have to pay for problems for which they are not responsible.”

Notes to Editors:

• For more information, please see John’s earlier press releases of 25th February 2021 [‘John Baron MP: more still to do to protect leaseholders’] and 11th February [‘John Baron MP: Government should do more on cladding and fire safety’].