Fire Safety Standards

Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Housing and Local Government – in the Senedd at 3:00 pm on 9 October 2019.

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Photo of Julie James Julie James Labour 3:00, 9 October 2019

Yes, I completely agree with that. Our first priority is the safety of residents and tenants and we've sought assurances, on all of the buildings that we're aware of, that the appropriate interim safety measures are in place immediately, and a clear plan for long-term mitigation is also put in place as soon as possible. We are working in partnership with the relevant local authorities, fire and rescue services, the building owners and the managing agents. As the law currently stands, building safety is the responsibility of building owners and their managing agents, as enforced through the services. Enforcement powers are with the local authorities under the housing Act and the fire and rescue services under the fire safety Order, as I know David Melding already knows. So, we've been consistent in saying exactly what he's just said—that leaseholders and residents should not be expected to pay to rectify issues that constitute a failure to build to appropriate quality standards or where matters are in breach of building regulations. I am doing an oral statement to the Assembly later on this month to go into that in more detail, but broadly I agree with the proposition he puts forward.