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Question
Thanking the Deputy Prime Minister for advance sight of her statement, Kevin Hollinrake expresses his sentiments about the tragedy and welcomes the Government’s response to the phase 2 report. He questions why a single regulator was not accepted for overseeing testing and certification of construction products, highlighting conflicts of interest.
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Question
The MP asks about steps to ensure tenants have a voice in the social housing sector and are shown respect when they raise concerns for their families. They also ask how the Government intends to make residential personal emergency evacuation plans enforceable if the responsible person fails to identify the vulnerable resident, particularly for disabled people.
Minister reply
The Government is committed to ensuring that landlords treat tenants with fairness and respect as part of a new regulatory regime. Regulations will be laid this year on funding available for residential PEEPs in the social sector. The regulator will set standards on competency and conduct of staff to ensure tenants are treated respectfully.
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Question
The MP urges the Government to approach decisions about Grenfell Tower with respect and sympathy for those affected. They also express concern over thousands of people living in buildings with dangerous cladding, endorsing all 57 recommendations from Sir Martin Moore-Bick's report and calling for legally enforceable orders to remediate premises.
Minister reply
The Government is committed to working respectfully and carefully with the community regarding Grenfell Tower. They agree on accelerating work to make buildings safe and will address commercial interests not overriding safety as previously seen.
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Question
Will the Government consider a strong oversight mechanism to ensure accountability for implementing the inquiry recommendations, so that change lasts beyond any one government? Additionally, what further details can be provided on ensuring accountability for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea?
Minister reply
We will create a publicly accessible record of public inquiry recommendations since 2024 on gov.uk and consider making it a legal requirement as part of a wider review. For the Grenfell inquiry, quarterly progress updates until all recommendations are delivered and annual reports to Parliament will be published. Regarding Kensington and Chelsea, we welcome their commitment to improvement and have challenged the council leader to ensure those improvements are felt by residents.
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Question
Will the Government undertake to overhaul safety mechanisms and the testing regime for products used in buildings, ensuring they are safe both now and in the future?
Minister reply
The Government is committed to system-wide reform of the construction product regime addressing significant gaps exposed by the Grenfell inquiry. We have published a Green Paper today focusing on public safety at its heart.
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Question
Will the Secretary of State commit to a national oversight mechanism that collates, analyses and follows up on recommendations from inquiries and inquests?
Minister reply
We are considering a national oversight mechanism as part of measures to strengthen public inquiries. We will listen to affected families’ views as we consider this matter further.
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Question
Can the Secretary of State assure that any regulatory changes made will not create further uncertainty for residents in cladded properties, highlighting a case from Harold Wood where a fire risk assessor was struck off?
Minister reply
Bringing clarity to the system is part of our commitment. We are working on remediation acceleration plans and are happy to meet with the hon. Lady regarding the specific case of her constituents.
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Question
Does the Secretary of State agree that everybody, including council members who treated residents poorly due to their backgrounds, must be held accountable for what happened in Grenfell?
Minister reply
Absolutely. The new regulatory regime requires all landlords to treat tenants with fairness and respect, ensuring services have fair and equitable outcomes.
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Question
Is the point of view that safety standards matter less in social housing a matter of deep national repentance? Additionally, has the Deputy Prime Minister spoken to her right hon. Friend the Chancellor about ensuring high-quality social housing?
Minister reply
The attitudes towards people in social tenancy are archaic and shameful; we must do better with legislation for cultural change. Safety will not be compromised in our building 1.5 million homes, nor will it compromise our ability to bring up to standard homes that are currently substandard.
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Question
Welcomes the commitment but asks for details on timing, scope and legal weight of the regulations.
Minister reply
The Government will lay regulations as soon as possible with funding for social housing providers this year. The policy applies to all disabled residents in high-rise buildings.
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Question
Asks the Deputy Prime Minister to support mediation efforts led by Lord Neuberger.
Minister reply
Committed to look at all options, and invites the right hon. Gentleman to discuss this matter with the safety minister.
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Question
Enquires about assurances for leaseholders in blocks certified by Tri Fire Ltd.
Minister reply
Invites the hon. Friend to discuss this case with the safety minister; working to encourage mortgage lenders to act proportionately.
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Question
Welcomes the Government's acceptance of professionalising fire engineers and urges for a meeting on MP concerns.
Minister reply
Expands invitation to safety minister; will legislate to make it mandatory that fire risk assessors are competent.
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Question
Asks for equal access to building safety fund and public testing results of construction products.
Minister reply
Happy to look at the recommendation; accepted all phase 2 report recommendations.
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Question
Asks for details on remediation costs when developers have defaulted and are no longer in existence.
Minister reply
Freeholders will get access to the cladding remediation scheme; building owners must fix their buildings.
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Question
Asks for progress on establishing a national college of fire and rescue.
Minister reply
Intends to launch a consultation this summer on the proposed functions and structures.
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Question
Urges for focus on single staircase installations in existing buildings above six storeys.
Minister reply
The approved document B is under continuous review by the Building Safety Regulator.
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Question
Welcomes the Green Paper published regarding fixing construction products.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the challenging nature of fixing construction products and welcomes the Green Paper.
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Question
Could she confirm that the new regulator and adviser will work with Government and industry bodies, including the Construction Leadership Council? Also, could she set out a bit more clearly what teeth the new regulator will have to tackle dodgy developers and cowboy builders?
Minister reply
Yes, those bodies will work together. We have granted funding and support to the Building Safety Regulator and the Health and Safety Executive to improve the support that is offered, and we expect action to be taken where there are issues or highlighted problems. The regulator will have teeth, with consequences expected when action is not taken.
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Question
Will the Deputy Prime Minister meet me to talk about my private Member’s Bill on an oversight mechanism for state-related deaths and how it can be enacted?
Minister reply
I am happy to take her considerations into account and discuss the information she wishes to share with my Department regarding the oversight mechanisms.
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Question
When would the Deputy Prime Minister expect constituents living in blocks with fire safety issues, whether cladding-related or not, to have a clear plan for remediation work needed in unsafe buildings?
Minister reply
We will outline how we can ensure accountability from those responsible for remediating buildings as quickly as possible. We are committed to taking actions so that people do not live another eight years without safety and security.
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Question
Could the Deputy Prime Minister think about emergency measures regarding EWS1 forms signed off by a notorious fire safety engineer, so that residents know whether they are living in safe buildings?
Minister reply
We have a robust audit process to assess the quality of fire risk assessments of external walls. The audit ensures assessments meet appropriate standards, and we will take action where these standards are not met.
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Question
Has the approach of scrapping red tape concerning fire safety, building safety, and the construction sector been ditched?
Minister reply
The regulatory system is now different from 2017. There have been Acts of Parliament to ensure more instruction and legal requirements for building safety. We will continue updating these measures through legislation in Parliament.
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Question
When will the companies mentioned in the report, such as Arconic and Saint-Gobain, face justice for their dishonesty and mis-selling which contributed to Grenfell tragedy?
Minister reply
The police have everything they need to investigate this matter legally. We will continue supporting them and working on procurement measures with the Building Safety Minister.
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Question
Does the Deputy Prime Minister agree that the Scottish Government must get a grip on the topic of cladding remediation, and will she provide such advice and assistance as her Department is able to supply?
Minister reply
While this is a devolved matter, I am happy to work with the Scottish Government. We hope they follow our footsteps in terms of the remediation acceleration plan and other reforms.
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Question
When will we hear about the timing and format of a review of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004?
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Question
Thanked the Secretary of State for her statement and her continued commitment to securing justice for Grenfell victims, met some of the families, and commended their bravery. Praises Rod Wainwright for his service as a first responder and asks if additional support is needed for emergency services personnel like him.
Minister reply
Agreed with Chris Vince on the need for more support for emergency services, acknowledging the trauma they faced after responding to another fire incident in Barking and Dagenham. Emphasised ongoing support from the Government.
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Question
Acknowledged the Deputy Prime Minister's commitment to accountability and safety improvements, inquired about further steps to hold firms liable for materials used in building works after December’s public procurement ban on Grenfell-related firms. Also requested sharing conclusions of the report with regional administrations.
Minister reply
Agreed that lessons must be learned from Grenfell tragedy; Building Safety Regulator and legal obligations should clarify expected actions and ensure enforcement.