PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
High Rise Flats: Fire Prevention (20 July 2017)

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, which local authorities have made requests for central government funding to help with fire safety on tower blocks; how much funding has been requested in each such case; and how much funding has been approved or granted in each such case.

Asked by:
Mr Clive Betts (Labour)

Where landlords have concerns about funding essential fire safety measures, they should approach us or the regulator, as appropriate, as soon as possible to discuss the position. Where works have been advised by local fire services to be essential to ensure the fire safety of a building, for local authorities we will ensure that current restrictions on the use of financial resources will not prevent them going ahead. The regulator of social housing can consider other options for housing associations. Any support offered would not include general improvements or enhancements to buildings which go beyond this. We will deal with any requests on a case by case basis.

Following a letter sent on 31 July to all local authority and housing association Chief Executives, my Department has been contacted by 27 local authorities to discuss the position on funding. The regulator of social housing has also written separately to housing associations. No housing associations have contacted the Regulator so far. It would not be appropriate to provide details of each case whilst discussions are on-going.

Answered by:
Lord Sharma (Conservative)
5 September 2017