Labour is today calling on the Government to finally deliver on
the promises it made following the Grenfell tragedy, to protect
the public from deadly fires and leaseholders from ruinous costs.
With the Fire Safety Bill back in the Commons on Wednesday, the
Government has the opportunity to do the right thing and support
amendments that prevent freeholders from passing on fire safety
remediation costs to leaseholders. Ministers must also honour
their commitment to act on recommendations from Phase One of the
Grenfell Tower Inquiry, Labour says.
Almost four years after the Grenfell fire, and more than a year
after the recommendations were published in October 2019, they
have still not been implemented despite the Government promising
to do so “in full” and “without delay”.
, Shadow
Policing and Fire Minister, said,
“This is an opportunity for the Government to finally put the
public’s safety first and to deliver on the promises it has made
to leaseholders.
“Blameless victims of this crisis, who are living in dangerous
homes and facing financial ruin, expect nothing less.
"It is not too late for the Government to put the British public
first, do the right thing and act now."
Ends
Notes to editors
- The Government has dithered and delayed on their response to
the cladding and fire safety crisis at every stage. Nearly four
years after Grenfell, and over a year after the recommendations
were published in October 2019, they have not been implemented,
despite the government promising to do so “in full” and “without
delay”.
- Over 12 weeks have passed since the Fire Safety Bill finished
its passage in the House of Lords.
- On the 1 February, Labour put forward a motion to the House
which called on the Government to provide upfront funding to
ensure cladding remediation can start immediately and protect
leaseholders from the cost of remediation. The Government decided
to whip its MPs to abstain on this important issue.
- On 10 February, the Government told thousands of people
across the country they will be locked into years of debt to fix
fire safety problems which were not their fault. This is a
betrayal of the promise that ministers have made over 17 times,
that leaseholders would not be left to foot the bill.
- The amendment on the Grenfell recommendations was originally
tabled during its passage through the House of Commons but was
voted upon, and defeated by the Government 318 (Noes) to 188
(Ayes) on the 7 September 2020.
- Motion during the Opposition Day Debate on cladding, 1
February 2021:
Protecting tenants and leaseholders from unsafe cladding
That this House calls on the Government to urgently establish
the extent of dangerous cladding and prioritise buildings
according to risk; provide upfront funding to ensure cladding
remediation can start immediately; protect leaseholders and
taxpayers from the cost by pursuing those responsible for the
cladding crisis; and update Parliament once a month in the form
of a Written Ministerial Statement by the Secretary of
State.
