Gove issues response to industry proposal on building safety

Gove issues response to industry proposal on building safety

Michael Gove has issued a response letter to the Home Builders Federation on proposals to pay for building safety.

In the letter to the Home Builders Federation on their proposals to pay for building safety, dated 7th March, Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, stated that while the commitment that developers will fund the remediation of fire safety defects in buildings they had a role in developing above 11 metres, without drawing on the Building Safety Fund, is welcomed, Gove said he finds that the current proposal issued by developers “falls short of full and unconditional self-remediation that I and leaseholders will expect us to agree”.

Gove continued:

“I expect all developers to emulate the most responsible firms and commit to full self-remediation of unsafe buildings without added conditions or qualifications. I would therefore ask you to continue working with my officials to develop these proposals further.”

Gove also said that he shared the desire of developers to ensure proportionality across the sector, stating that he has consequently withdrawn the Consolidated Advice Note and supported the development of PAS 9980, and said, “the Government will continue to work with lenders, insurers, RICS and others to ensure proportionality is embedded across the system”.

As to funding solutions that cover the full outstanding cost to remediate unsafe cladding on buildings 11-18m, Gove stated that he was “disappointed” that a solution had not been found, and asked developers to work with government officials to agree a fully funded plan by the end of March.

Gove also stated in the letter, that if an agreement is not reached by the end of March that government would impose a solution in
law, reminding industry that powers have been taken to impose this solution through the Building Safety Bill.

A further industry roundtable is expected to take place at the end of March to conclude discussions.

Annie Simmons

1 Comment

  • Gove has got a grip of this after years of vacillating by his predecessors and vested interests. He must continue his good work and this disgraceful denial of responsibility and public duty results in a just outcome for those most effected and least responsible.

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