Cladding Removal 2021-02-22
2021-02-22
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from the need to fund the removal of unsafe cladding on buildings under 18 metres in height, following previous government commitments.
What progress has been made on the design of the loan scheme to fund the removal of cladding on buildings under 18 metres in height? I am concerned about the protection of leaseholders and the financial implications for those affected by this issue.
Hundreds of thousands of leaseholders will be protected from the cost of replacing unsafe cladding. Funding will target high-risk buildings based on expert advice, and lower-rise buildings with a lower risk profile will gain protection through a new finance scheme with monthly payments no more than £50. We will publish details as soon as we can.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific timelines for publishing the details of the loan scheme were not provided.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question follows up on previous concerns about the loan scheme for cladding removal, focusing on financial protections for leaseholders.
I thank the Minister for his answer; I look forward to more details. In the meantime, will he confirm that the loan will be a charge on the freeholder and not affect individual leaseholders' debt or property valuation? Also, will funding from the levy and contributions offset the £3.5 billion announced by the Government?
We ensure that leaseholder costs are not passed onto them through life or affect their credit rating, thus protecting them from unfair costs. The Minister declines to comment further on the funding mechanism until the Chancellor's Budget announcement.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific financial mechanisms and how they relate to the £3.5 billion were not clarified.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses concerns over the 18-metre threshold for assessing risk in cladding removal, citing previous statements by government officials.
I remind the Minister that the Government have committed to leaseholders not paying. However, recent announcements exclude buildings under 18 metres from funding, forcing those affected into debt despite a problem they did not cause. The 18-metre threshold is described as 'crude' and does not reflect risk complexity.
The 18-metre threshold is established based on safety assessments by experts, including the National Fire Chiefs Council and Dame Judith Hackitt. This approach aims to address the highest-risk buildings first.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific changes or improvements in risk assessment since previous criticisms were not addressed.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The question concerns the government's delay in addressing fire risks due to cladding, citing internal communications suggesting a lack of proper risk assessment.
Leaseholders are still living in buildings with flammable cladding despite previous assurances. The Government claims a risk-based approach but has not used time effectively for better prioritisation or responded to their own call for evidence.
Safety is our priority. The 18-metre threshold is based on expert assessments indicating higher risks in taller buildings. We have also introduced finance mechanisms for lower-rise buildings to ensure proper remediation and property value reassignment.
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Assessment & feedback
The specifics of a comprehensive risk prioritisation system or response to the call for evidence were not addressed.
Response accuracy