Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer.

I intend to take forward an ambitious programme of work to enhance the safety of residents living in higher risk buildings in Wales. The Welsh Government has a strong record in advancing fire safety. Deputy Presiding Officer, as you will certainly know, we were the first country in the world to require sprinklers in all newly built and converted houses and flats. I want to ensure that we build on this strong legacy and that Wales continues to be a leader in keeping people safe in their homes.

As I have repeatedly said, however, there must be no room for complacency. This is in the forefront of my mind in responding to the building safety expert group’s road map, published last month. The Welsh Government accepts all the expert group’s recommendations in principle. We will now work to address them as quickly as we can, but we will not rush this important work. As the expert group has said in their road map, there is a need for a considered and coherent approach and it will take time to get this right.

The Welsh Government will take forward a comprehensive programme of work to reform the regulatory system in respect of higher risk buildings in Wales. This will be phased over this and the next Assembly term. I will put in place stretching timescales and clear objectives to steer delivery by both Welsh Government and our stakeholders.