Building Safety and Resilience

Rushanara Ali Lab

Bethnal Green and Stepney

I rise to open this debate on the critical issue of building safety and resilience, following last week’s publication of the Grenfell inquiry’s final report. Sir Martin Moore-Bick’s findings on an entirely avoidable national tragedy were devastating... We will bring the full power of Government to bear on this task. Above all, we will accelerate the pace of remediation and go further and faster to drive change across the industry.

Jeremy Corbyn Ind

Islington North

I thank the Minister for what she just said. On the remedial works that will be done, some will be in the public sector; most will be in the private sector. In many cases, residents are paying the price in very high insurance premiums, as she rightly acknowledged. Could those residents who have suffered a great deal of stress and cost over the past few years expect some form of compensation for their losses, because of the failure of Government and the industry to undertake the proper remedial works?

Zarah Sultana Lab

Coventry South

Does the Minister agree that firefighters and the Fire Brigades Union need to be listened to, and that the Government need to deliver the statutory advisory body to ensure that the lessons of Grenfell are learned?

Clive Betts Lab

Sheffield South East

I congratulate the Minister on her appointment. It is absolutely right that the Government should be providing support, including financial support, for those buildings that need work done urgently... When the Prime Minister spoke about Grenfell, he spoke about the discrimination and poor treatment of social housing tenants. Will the Government rectify that by making social housing providers equally eligible for help from the building safety fund?

Meg Hillier Lab Co-op

Hackney South and Shoreditch

I congratulate my hon. Friend on her appointment, which, in trying to put right these wrongs, is to one of the toughest jobs in Government... One of the things that would help is to improve the skills throughput in the construction industry...

Emily Darlington Lab

Milton Keynes Central

I welcome my hon. Friend to her new position; I know that she will be a firm advocate for those thousands of people who are still waiting for remediation to be done on their buildings... Will she assure residents in my constituency and across the country that part of the deal those developers may be doing with other parts of her Department will be about taking seriously their remediation responsibilities for those buildings?

Will Forster Lib Dem

Woking

The Minister has talked about support for high-rise buildings in my constituency... What support will the Government be able to give lower-rise blocks, and what checks will they do?

David Simmonds Con

Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner

He discusses the importance of ensuring buildings are safe from design inception through to completion, addressing issues such as ventilation and air quality. He raises concerns about the practical difficulties faced by local authorities in accessing council properties for maintenance work against occupiers' wills. Simmonds also highlights the risks associated with modern methods of construction like modular homes and timber-framed buildings, suggesting a need for proper consideration of these forms of construction. Additionally, he calls on the Government to reflect on how resilience can be built into new school constructions and fire prevention measures in schools and hospitals.

Clive Betts Lab

Sheffield South East

Welcomed the Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to her position. Highlighted the challenges in addressing building safety issues following Grenfell, noting a 'race to the bottom' culture within the construction industry that prioritises cost-cutting over safety. Emphasised the need for comprehensive reviews of regulations and cultural reforms within the sector. Raised concerns about 4,000 homes still having dangerous cladding despite efforts made since Grenfell and called for regular updates on progress and identification of responsible parties. Criticised the building safety fund's limitations in addressing broader issues such as missing firewalls and dangerous fire doors, especially when developers have gone bust or are uninterested in remediation work. Called for assistance to leaseholders struggling with high insurance costs and legal fees, urging officials to offer support where necessary. Recommended a national system of third-party accreditation for professionals involved in building safety management and highlighted issues with current regulations regarding 'competent persons' schemes in electrical safety. Advocated for greater transparency in product testing and called for construction product manufacturers to contribute towards remediation costs. Highlighted the importance of independent appointments for building control officers and expressed concerns about local authority funding and social housing discrimination.

Marie Goldman Lib Dem

Chelmsford

The Liberal Democrats welcome the final Grenfell report and express gratitude to those who contributed to it. The debate is about building safety, focusing on fire door remediation issues where developers are passing responsibilities onto leaseholders. There's a backlog of issues needing attention and the HSE may not be adequately resourced. Fire services should be statutory consultees for high-rise planning applications. The problem persists with new buildings having compartmentation problems, indicating ongoing systemic issues driven by finance and culture. The speaker calls for cultural change in construction akin to how airline industry investigates incidents without pointing fingers. They advocate for a system similar to car recalls where manufacturers fix safety issues at their expense. Leaseholders are suffering due to delays and financial burdens which exacerbate the housing crisis. Social landlords' eligibility for Government funds needs attention, and there's concern over insurance problems. The speaker emphasises that fire safety should be seen as a basic right.

Joe Powell Lab

Kensington and Bayswater

Expressed gratitude to cross-party support for the Grenfell inquiry phase 2 report. Urged Members to remember the victims of the fire and emphasised the need for criminal prosecutions, accountability of companies involved in public procurement, and policy changes to prevent future incidents. Highlighted local issues such as a building with flammable rendering and increased service charges for leaseholders due to insurance hikes. Advocated for clear timelines, incentives, and funding for remedial work. Welcomed the Government’s announcement on personalised emergency evacuation plans and urged further detail in implementation. Called for streamlining ministerial responsibility and accountability. Supported the Prime Minister's statement regarding public procurement exclusions for companies mentioned in the Grenfell report.

Peter Fortune Con

Bromley and Biggin Hill

Mr Fortune praised his predecessor, Sir Bob Neill KC, for his service and dedication to the community. He also mentioned Harold Macmillan's housing responsibilities and how Bromley is still affected by similar issues today. He celebrated contributions from his constituency in literature, sport, science, and politics, and expressed gratitude towards his family. The speech concluded with a tribute to Biggin Hill's role during World War II and the importance of remembering those who sacrificed their lives for freedom.

Josh Fenton-Glynn Lab

Calder Valley

I congratulate the hon. Member for Bromley and Biggin Hill on a valiant attempt to pretend his is the best constituency in the country. I rise to give my maiden speech about Calder Valley, where I was born and brought up, and now raise my family. The constituency of Calder Valley has a rich history tied to the wool trade, but it also faces challenges such as climate change and economic transformation. Each town in Calder Valley is unique with its own traditions, from Todmorden's community gardens to Hebden Bridge's creative industries. The area includes Elland, Brighouse and Rastrick, and rural communities like Ryburn and Greetland. I have a background in local government and support social care reforms that value the work of carers. My political journey has been shaped by my commitment to alleviating poverty through effective welfare policies and supporting workers' rights.

Zöe Franklin Lib Dem

Guildford

Congratulated the hon. Members for Bromley and Biggin Hill and Calder Valley on their maiden speeches, emphasised the importance of building safety irrespective of economic status, pledged to represent all residents in her constituency including those unheard voices, acknowledged predecessors, highlighted the historic and modern aspects of Guildford, committed to addressing cost of living crisis and poverty issues, and advocated for river pollution reduction.

Oliver Ryan Ind

Burnley

Oliver Ryan detailed Burnley's history and its role in the global cotton trade. He praised the town's cultural richness and highlighted the importance of resilience and renewal. He also mentioned the current challenges, such as substandard housing conditions, lack of investment due to low land values, and generational cycles of worklessness among young people.

Sarah Gibson Lib Dem

Chippenham

Maiden speech focusing on building safety issues, advocating for stronger measures to protect vulnerable residents from damp and mould. Also discussed the industrial heritage of Chippenham, its future as an innovation hub, local employment opportunities in renewable energy and health sciences, and praised predecessors Michelle Donelan and James Grey for their work in the constituency.

Mike Amesbury Lab

Newton Abbot

Emphasises that the Grenfell fire was entirely preventable and predictable but lessons were not learned by successive governments or industry. Dishonesty was hardwired into the construction and building industry, prioritising profit over people's lives. He mentions ongoing issues with companies gaming tests of products used in high-rises, despite stronger regulation from the Building Safety Act. However, remediation is slow and does not cover broader fire safety issues.

Marie Goldman Lib Dem

Chelmsford

Asks about the gaming of tests for products used in high-rises and whether the speaker was appalled to read how companies insulated temperature gauges to pass tests rather than admit their products were not fit for purpose.

Margaret Mullane Lab

Dagenham and Rainham

Discusses an incident in her constituency where remediation of the Spectrum building, which was non-compliant with regulations, took three years despite warnings. The building caught fire shortly after 20% of the remediation works were still outstanding.

Jeremy Corbyn Ind

Islington North

Corbyn emphasises the need for proper regulation and supervision in building safety, citing the Grenfell fire as a tragic example of inadequate oversight. He highlights the failure of privatisation and underfunding to protect vulnerable tenants and calls for local government oversight. He also criticises the idea that deregulation can ensure safety and supports Sir Martin Moore-Bick's report recommendations. Corbyn discusses specific cases in his constituency, such as Highbury Square and Drayton Park, where leaseholders are facing high insurance costs due to unapproved cladding. He calls for compensation for residents affected by these issues and urges the Government to step in to ensure remedial work is done swiftly. Corbyn also recognises community resilience and response after disasters like Grenfell fire, praising the bravery of firefighters and solidarity among residents. Finally, he argues that addressing housing as a human right rather than a market solution is crucial for ensuring safe and affordable homes.

Sarah Gibson Lib Dem

Chippenham

Gibson intervenes to suggest revisiting the original system of supervision by local authorities, which was not financially tied to contractors or developers. She argues that this previous arrangement was safer compared to the current deregulated system with approved inspectors.

Chris Curtis Lab

Milton Keynes North

I congratulate colleagues on their maiden speeches and express my appreciation for the emergency services in my constituency. I am honoured to represent Milton Keynes North, a region with rich history including famous landmarks like Olney and Wolverton. I will continue my predecessor's work to secure better healthcare facilities and address housing needs. Emphasising the importance of visionary leadership as seen in Fred Roche’s efforts to develop Milton Keynes, I advocate for the Government to adopt similar bold strategies to tackle current issues such as long NHS waiting lists and the need for new homes.

Al Pinkerton Lib Dem

Surrey Heath

Mr Pinkerton highlighted the uneven impact of building safety issues across constituencies, with his own constituency having experienced some but not extensive problems. He detailed the case of North Court in Camberley where residents faced serious risks from unsafe cladding and fire safety failures. Citing government figures showing 4,630 buildings with unsafe cladding and only around half initiating remediation processes, he stressed that urgent action was needed to address this crisis. Mr Pinkerton also questioned the capacity of the Building Safety Regulator, given its small number of regulatory leads and caseworkers, and called for a robust approach in enforcement and resource allocation.

Clive Efford Lab

Eltham

Complains about the ongoing issues with Master Gunner Place in his constituency. He mentions that despite numerous communications, there has been no remedial work or proper information provided to leaseholders. The service charge increased by 107%, trapping residents who cannot sell their properties due to high charges and legal risks from failing to pay them. Residents fear taking legal action due to potential further financial penalties. Efford calls for a cap on contributions from leaseholders, transparency in management company spending details, and the implementation of remediation acceleration measures with fines and compensation for affected residents.

Lauren Sullivan Lab

Gravesham

Supports Clive Efford's position, highlighting the issue of insurance costs. Mentions a constituent who had to pay £2,500 in insurance costs, reinforcing the broader context of financial burdens on leaseholders due to high service charges.

Melanie Ward Lab

Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy

I congratulate hon. Members who made maiden speeches today, particularly Chris Curtis for his vision. I am honoured to represent Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy constituency, following Neale Hanvey's dedication to casework and Lesley Laird’s advocacy for women’s equality. My constituency is home to former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, known for tackling poverty. Today, 1 in 4 children in Kirkcaldi are growing up in poverty; we need to lift them out of it as Labour did previously with 1.5 million children. The beauty of my community lies in its solidarity and support systems like food banks and community organisations. Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy have a rich industrial heritage linked to mining, unionism, and international trade. We aim for fair work and economic opportunities for our young people. Fife faces a housing emergency and needs more homes; the NHS is vital locally but requires repair. My constituency houses a significant Polish community with roots in WWII veterans. I advocate for refugees' rights and dignity, having seen both humanity's worst and best moments globally. My brother Ross’s disability has shaped my political beliefs, highlighting systemic flaws in access to support services. I am committed to addressing these issues and uniting Scotland towards a better future.

Markus Campbell-Savours Ind

Penrith and Solway

Congratulates new MPs, outlines his background in Cumbria, discusses his work as a contracts manager, highlights the importance of electrical safety reforms following Grenfell Tower tragedy, commends creation of Building Safety Regulator, emphasises need for clear rules to prevent ambiguous interpretations, praises community efforts and volunteers in his constituency, addresses local issues such as the Old Court House collapse, meat rendering plant odour, energy bills for rural homes, farmers' despair over trade deals and payment schemes implementation, and local health service recruitment struggles.

Zarah Sultana Your Party

Coventry South

Congratulates new MPs, reflects on the Grenfell Tower fire, calls for removal of flammable cladding from buildings now, installation of sprinklers, implementation of Hillsborough law and speedy criminal prosecutions, criticises systemic neglect and corporate greed that led to avoidable tragedy, highlights warnings by Grenfell Action Group prior to the fire, condemns building firms' systematic dishonesty for profit, emphasises the class war on exploited and persecuted people, demands safe homes and accountability from corporations and state.

Alex Ballinger Lab

Halesowen

Delivered a maiden speech focusing on the importance of building safety, honouring predecessors and expressing dedication to serving constituents. Discussed local history, including industrial heritage, women's rights campaigns, and support for armed forces and refugees.

Matt Rodda Lab

Reading Central

Paid tribute to Grenfell families and discussed local fire safety issues in Reading and other towns like Slough. Mentioned delays in remediation processes and the need for action against overseas management companies and manufacturers of dangerous cladding.

Peter Lamb Lab

Crawley

Mr. Lamb paid tribute to his predecessors, highlighting Crawley's economic strength and cultural heritage. He acknowledged the town's social mobility challenges and high levels of child poverty despite a strong local economy. Emphasising housing as his top priority, he praised the New Towns Act 1946 for its impact on Crawley’s development and called for a revival of similar initiatives to address current housing shortages and ensure safe living conditions.

Tracy Gilbert Lab

Edinburgh North and Leith

Madam Deputy Speaker, for calling me in this extremely important debate. I congratulate my hon. Friends the Members for Crawley (Peter Lamb) and for Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy (Melanie Ward) on their touching and moving speeches. I really am proud to be one of the Scottish delegates... I will fight for everyone’s right to thrive. I will be their voice in this place, and as is Leith’s motto, I will always persevere.

Richard Quigley Lab

Isle of Wight West

Paid tribute to Annie Caddick, a Paralympic silver medallist. Recognised the legacy left by his predecessor Bob Seely and shared personal family background in local politics. Emphasised that he is the first Labour MP for Isle of Wight West. Highlighted the island's historical significance including developments in science, industry, and culture. Acknowledged the importance of community support and volunteerism. Addressed challenges such as poor access to healthcare services and high ferry costs affecting daily life and economic opportunities. Vowed to advocate for solutions and invited Ministers to visit Isle of Wight.

Brian Leishman Lab

Alloa and Grangemouth

Pays tribute to Grenfell fire victims, highlights budget cuts affecting local authorities and emergency services. Mentions the impact of RAAC building material on communities in Clackmannanshire, detailing evacuations and ongoing issues faced by residents due to insurance company policies and relocation difficulties. Emphasises need for collaboration between councils, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and UK Government.

Adam Jogee Lab

Newcastle-under-Lyme

Congratulates colleagues on their maiden speeches and echoes concerns about public safety following Grenfell Tower inquiry. Highlights the plight of leaseholders at No. 1 London Road in Newcastle-under-Lyme who face significant fire safety issues and exorbitant insurance premiums, leading to financial distress for residents.

David Simmonds Con

Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner

Expresses appreciation for maiden speeches covering various issues; discusses the Hackitt review and the importance of the £5.1 billion building safety fund; highlights concerns about personal evacuation plans and latent defects in buildings; raises questions on EU standards and ensures that imported products meet UK post-Grenfell fire safety standards; emphasises the complexity of specifying safety measures versus outcomes.

Tan Dhesi Lab

Slough

Intervenes to express concerns from constituents about building safety issues; calls for faster remediation and firm action against developers, freeholders, manufacturers, and other organisations to ensure quicker progress on safety measures.

Alex Norris Lab Co-op

Nottingham North and Kimberley

The debate focuses on the safety of residential buildings, especially in light of the Grenfell Tower tragedy. The Government apologises to bereaved families and survivors, promising responsibility for building safety and accelerating remediation efforts despite funding being available. Additionally, there is an emphasis on resilience at both national and local levels to respond effectively to crises.

Peter Fortune Con

Bromley and Biggin Hill

Acknowledged the legacy of his predecessor, Bob Neill, praised pilots from his constituency for their service, noted Notts County fans' potential reaction regarding a Conservative Member's football team support.

Josh Fenton-Glynn Lab

Calder Valley

Praised for persistence in election bids and commitment to community. Highlighted the importance of addressing issues like special educational needs and water quality, emphasising local leadership and prioritising local priorities.

Zöe Franklin Con

Guildford

Her third attempt at election victory, she brought messages of change focusing on special educational needs and water quality issues. She aims to measure progress on these fronts during her tenure in Parliament.

Oliver Ryan Lab Co-op

Burnley

Acknowledged as one of 43 Labour/Co-operative MPs, he highlighted the proud heritage and ambitious future of Burnley, with a commitment to working closely with the Minister for towns.

Sarah Gibson Con

Chippenham

Confessed her background as an architect, expressing interest in contributing to housing issues. She aims to fight for more train stations for her constituency.

Chris Curtis Lab Co-op

Milton Keynes North

Acknowledged his significant public profile and expertise in polling, emphasising the importance of listening to communities in addressing societal problems related to housing safety and resilience.

Melanie Ward Lab

Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy

Emphasised the fight for women's equality, acknowledging progress but noting the need for faster pace. She highlighted leasehold reform as a critical issue needing urgent attention from both UK and Scottish governments.

Alistair Strathern Lab

Hitchin

Emphasised the importance of leasehold reforms to address tenant issues, urging the Government to work closely with other Departments to ensure building safety is at the heart of regulations.

Brian Leishman Lab

Alloa and Grangemouth

Asked for a meeting to discuss possible solutions for constituents suffering from being evacuated from their homes, highlighting the resetting of relationships between the Labour Government and the Scottish Government regarding housing issues.

Clive Efford Lab

Eltham and Chislehurst

Highlighted the issue of management agencies not providing information to leaseholders about charges and legal redress, questioning whether there is power to force these agencies to give necessary information.

Caroline Nokes Con

Romsey and Southampton North

Responded positively to interventions from various MPs, addressing issues such as raising money from product manufacturers and the need for social housing providers to have better access to the building safety fund.

Clive Betts Lab

Sheffield South East

Suggested using raised funds to assist social housing providers in accessing the building safety fund, citing concerns about their current treatment and access issues.

Emily Thornberry Lab

Islington South and Finsbury

Discussed the terror experienced by residents of dangerous blocks of flats in Islington, highlighting the financial burdens placed on tenants due to service charges and insurance costs.

Mike Amesbury

Called for legislation to phase out the leasehold system and promote commonhold tenancy arrangements, questioning what measures will be taken to ensure this transition.

Emily Darlington Lab

Milton Keynes Central

Shared a story of an elderly woman struggling with service charges that have increased by 600%, emphasising the need for clearer remediation processes and addressing the root causes of such issues.

Alan Gemmell Lab

Central Ayrshire

Referenced a fire in his constituency from 1999 that led to changes in building regulations, urging the Minister to consider these when examining the Grenfell tragedy.

Barry Gardiner Lab

Brent West

Pointed out issues with privatised building control functions and asked for actions to ensure a consistent set of standards is applied without trading shortcuts.

Douglas McAllister Lab

West Dunbartonshire

Critiqued the Scottish Government's handling of the issue, emphasising the need for urgency in addressing building safety and criticising the SNP’s financial mismanagement.

Oliver Ryan Ind

Burnley

Invited the Minister to meet representatives from Burnley council regarding a retrofit scheme that brings investment into areas still in need of repair, praising the positive impact such schemes can have.

David Simmonds Con

Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner

Asked for assurance that all products meeting 2015 European standards will also meet the stricter post-Grenfell UK standards introduced in 2018.

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