Safety Reforms Might Not Come Into Force Until Seven Years After Grenfell

New building safety laws might not become effective for another four years, a senior government advisor has warned. The government is set to introduce the first draft of the Building Safety Bill, which was prompted by the Grenfell fire tragedy three years ago, shortly alongside an announcement by housing secretary Robert Jenrick. The bill will set out a new regulatory regime which will overhaul how responsibility for building safety is managed in the industry. But Graham Watts, Construction Industry Council chief executive, said the reforms were still at an early stage and may not fully come into force until seven years after the fire. Read more on the Housing Today website.

https://www.housingtoday.co.uk/news/advisor-says-building-safety-reforms-might-not-come-into-force-until-seven-years-after-grenfell/5107041.article

Mcvey Bats Off Building Safety Questions After Conference Embarrassment

After embarrassing herself at the Tory conference with dated observations on 3D, Housing Minister Esther McVey proved less effusive faced with written Commons questions on building safety. Labour’s Steve Reed asked why MHCLG has not issued a call for samples of building materials used in external wall materials and insulation of high-rise buildings as part of the recent data collection exercise on external wall systems in blocks. McVey’s reply: “The MHCLG has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.” Read more on 24housing.

https://www.24housing.co.uk/news/mcvey-bats-off-building-safety-questions-after-conference-embarrassment/

Government Announces New Housing Measures

The government has announced:

·         a New Homes Ombudsman to support homebuyers facing problems with their newly built home

·         plans to help provide the homes the country needs through planning reform

·         plans to create a lasting legacy from the 2022 Commonwealth Games

·         measures to improve the safety of high-rise buildings

Measures to champion the rights of homebuyers and help ensure that when they buy a new home they get the quality of build they rightly expect. The New Homes Ombudsman will protect the interests of homebuyers and hold developers to account when things go wrong. Read more on the MHCLG website.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-announces-new-housing-measures

Tenants' Lives At Risk After Government Refuses To Act On Weak Safety Rules

Tenants’ lives are being put at risk because the government has refused to beef up weak safety rules in rented housing despite the Grenfell tragedy, experts are warning. Hazards such as inadequate fire doors, faulty electrical equipment and dangerous heating systems cannot be tackled because officials are unable to prove they fail outdated guidance, they say. Ninety-seven per cent of environmental health professionals have called for action – with more than half reporting they had “witnessed hazards that could not be addressed”.  Read more on the Independent website.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/grenfell-tenants-lives-risk-weak-safety-rules-government-tragedy-warning-a8433481.html