Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Building Safety

14 March 2023 · 21 other contributors

Opened by Michael Gove Con Oxford West and Abingdon

HousingEnvironment

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Michael Gove raised concerns about building safety in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Michael Gove updated the House on the Government's progress in securing commitments from developers to remediate unsafe buildings.
  • Major house builders signed a pledge last year to fix all medium or high-rise buildings they had built or refurbished if they were unsafe.
  • The government published a legal contract on 30 January, giving developers six weeks to respond.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

Michael Gove

With the House's permission, Michael Gove updated members on the Government's progress in securing commitments from developers to remediate properties with building safety defects. He highlighted that major house builders signed a pledge last year to fix all medium or high-rise buildings they had built or refurbished and were unsafe. Developers also promised reimbursement of taxpayer funds spent on such work. The government published a legal contract on 30 January, giving developers six weeks to confirm their responsibility for affected properties and sign the contract. By the deadline, 39 developers signed the contract, committing to fix at least 1,100 buildings and investing over £2 billion in remediation efforts. Gove thanked responsible developers and apologised to leaseholders for delays, promising quick action on remediation work. He also announced plans for a new 'responsible actors scheme' to ensure only committed builders are allowed to build in the future, excluding companies that do not live up to their responsibilities. Developers failing to sign the contract will face prohibitions from starting or continuing new developments and receiving building control approval.

Other contributors (21)
  • Nia Griffith Lab Llanelli

    Question

    Griffith asked about remediation efforts in Wales and if there are plans to provide support to developers who may lack resources, considering the significant financial burden. She also inquired about the status of a cross-Whitehall taskforce mentioned previously.

    Minister reply

    Gove responded that while he lacks authority over Welsh housing matters, he is committed to supporting developers in England with financial constraints through existing schemes and further support will be offered under the responsible actors scheme.

  • Barry Gardiner Lab Brent North

    Question

    Gardiner raised concerns about the exclusion of small house builders from remediation contracts, noting that 75% of new builds come from such companies. He asked Gove to address this issue and ensure all developers are included in the remediation efforts.

    Minister reply

    Gove acknowledged the importance of ensuring all developers contribute to safety efforts but noted that the contract applies primarily to large house builders responsible for most high-rise buildings with defects.

  • Tom Blenkinsop Lab Middlesbrough

    Question

    Blenkinsop inquired about the government's response to a recent court decision concerning leaseholder charges for fire safety repairs, questioning if it aligns with previous assurances that such costs would not be passed on. He asked Gove to clarify his department's position.

    Minister reply

    Gove stated that the Government remains committed to preventing undue financial burdens on leaseholders and will review the case mentioned by Blenkinsop in light of existing regulations.

  • Andrew Turner Con Isle of Wight

    Question

    Turner expressed support for Gove's actions but questioned why small and medium-sized developers have not been similarly addressed, particularly regarding the remediation of low-rise buildings. He asked about potential measures to ensure these builders also take responsibility.

    Minister reply

    Gove responded that while major developers were initially targeted due to their larger scale, steps are being taken to address smaller developers through the responsible actors scheme and other mechanisms.

  • Lisa Nandy Lab Wigan

    Question

    I thank the Secretary of State for advance sight of his statement. We want to see every developer sign the remediation contract and urgently move to fix unsafe buildings and free leaseholders who have been trapped for too long... [full question]

    Minister reply

    I am grateful to the hon. Lady for her support... The letters that I have written to the directors of the companies concerned will, I think, help to concentrate their minds to ensure that they have a chance to sign before we lay the responsible actors scheme details next week.

  • Peter Bottomley Con Worthing West

    Question

    I declare an interest in having a leasehold property—and I also have minor shares in some building companies so that I can get at their boards when necessary... May I reinforce a question asked from the Labour Front Bench: how many buildings beyond the 1,100 still need a way forward? Can we agree that leaseholders and others want to know that their own homes are safe and saleable?

    Minister reply

    I am grateful to the Father of the House... I should also say for the benefit of my hon. Friend and the House that 96% of the most dangerous buildings—those with aluminium composite material cladding—have either completed or started remediation work.

  • Chris Stephens SNP Glasgow North East

    Question

    Inquires about the sharing of information with devolved Administrations, identification and management of additional defects in non-compliant buildings beyond fire performance issues, and plans for addressing untraceable owners or developers.

    Minister reply

    Affirms that information will be shared with devolved Administrations. Acknowledges responsibility of developers to address new faults identified during remediation work if they were the original responsible actors. The recovery strategy unit is working to identify freeholders responsible, and leaseholders are only liable in very last instance with costs firmly capped by legislation.

  • John Redwood Con Wokingham

    Question

    Asks about steps taken to encourage more businesses and people to come forward for good-quality building and construction work, given the shortage of capacity.

    Minister reply

    Mentions changes such as to the national planning policy framework and upcoming announcements by the Chancellor aimed at ensuring a diverse and energetic private sector market helping consumers and leaseholders.

  • Clive Betts Lab Sheffield South East

    Question

    Inquires about the remediation standards developers will work to, contact with product manufacturers, and funding for social housing providers.

    Minister reply

    Refers to scrutiny by the Select Committee next Monday. Confirms that while leaseholders are not liable in most cases, social housing providers will need further support due to high costs of remediating unsafe buildings.

  • Tom Hunt Con St Austell and Newquay

    Question

    Raises concerns about the Cardinal Lofts building and seeks clarity on timescales for remediation, compensation beyond temporary accommodation, and actions taken against Railpen.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledges Tom Hunt's advocacy and appeals to Railpen pension fund board members for swift action. Hopes to visit Ipswich soon to address the situation.

  • Lyn Brown Lab West Ham

    Question

    Discusses ongoing building contracts in her constituency and asks about oversight of developments by developers not on the 'goodie' list, as well as support for those without full remediation contract coverage.

    Minister reply

    Confirms that development will pause if a company is not responsible. Encourages constituents to contact the Department's recovery strategy unit.

  • Bob Blackman Con Harrow East

    Question

    Congratulates Michael Gove on progress made and seeks clarity on what happens to leaseholders who have received huge estimates for costs, and those in buildings with untraceable developers.

    Minister reply

    Explains that the recovery strategy unit identifies ultimate beneficial owners of buildings. Emphasises need for improved land transparency legislation.

  • Hilary Benn Lab Leeds South

    Question

    The MP welcomed the statement but asked about assistance for buildings under 11 metres in height, which were not covered by full support. He sought information on how many such buildings have received help and what criteria are used to decide where to offer it.

    Minister reply

    Mr Gove responded that these buildings do not typically pose a safety risk but need case-by-case examination. Progress has been made with lenders, now lending against properties based on more proportionate assessments. He expressed willingness to look at individual cases if raised.

  • Marsha de Cordova Lab Battersea

    Question

    The MP thanked the Secretary of State for progress but noted leaseholders in buildings under 11 metres or non-qualifying developments feel abandoned. She asked how case-by-case basis support will work.

    Minister reply

    Mr Gove acknowledged the issue and stated they are reviewing cases to ensure no one is unfairly treated, though he made no promises at this stage.

  • Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross

    Question

    The MP suggested cooperation between councils in Scotland and those south of the border to address building safety issues.

    Minister reply

    Mr Gove agreed that collaboration is key and offered to work with Aberdeen City Council to ensure it benefits from experience in England.

  • Stephen Timms Lab East Ham

    Question

    The MP asked for an update on progress addressing excessive insurance charges imposed on leaseholders, noting he had not received a reply to his letter.

    Minister reply

    Mr Gove apologised and promised to update the House soon on progress with FCA. He also said they will address broader issues in the insurance market.

  • Stephen Doughty Lab Co-op Cardiff South and Penarth

    Question

    The MP requested a full list of works under way from different developers and noted that cooperation is needed between UK Governments on this issue.

    Minister reply

    Mr Gove agreed to work with developers to publish updates. He also stated the willingness to work closely with Welsh Government.

  • Mike Amesbury

    Question

    The MP questioned why the developer contract does not cover all fire defects laid out in the Building Safety Act and who will pay for that work.

    Minister reply

    Mr Gove explained they are working on bespoke solutions for buildings outside covered categories.

  • Paul Blomfield

    Question

    The MP highlighted a case where managing agents were denying leaseholders their rights under the Building Safety Act and requested reassurance that the Secretary of State will use all resources to tackle this.

    Minister reply

    Mr Gove assured him his Department is looking closely at the case and thanked him for being tenacious in trying to get a good deal for his constituents.

  • Clive Efford Lab Eltham and Chislehurst

    Question

    The MP asked about what today’s statement means for his constituents regarding Galliard development which has not signed the contract despite life-critical safety defects.

    Minister reply

    Mr Gove confirmed that Galliard will face consequences if it does not act as other companies have done.

Shadow Comment

Lisa Nandy

Lisa Nandy welcomed the statement but expressed concern over delays and lack of clarity in the government's approach. She questioned the effectiveness of threatening major house builders with bans without proper communication from the Department, which has hindered progress. Nandy asked Gove to clarify actions against developers who signed initial pledges but not contracts, such as Galliard Homes and Ballymore, specifically seeking designation timelines and impacts on ongoing developments. She pressed for more stringent timescales for remediation beyond 'as soon as reasonably practicable.' Additionally, she inquired about the responsibility of foreign developers and material manufacturers, pointing out a drafting error that excludes some companies from certain regulations, affecting leaseholders' cost recovery rights. Nandy advocated for ending the feudal system of leasehold entirely.

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