Tower Blocks: Dangerous Cladding

Louise Ellman Excerpts

Tuesday 22nd January 2019 Commons Chamber

[Kit Malthouse]

With his usual acuity, my hon. Friend puts his finger on an important point. As part of her review, Dame Judith Hackitt considered whether there is an inherent conflict of interest for those who are implementing buildings and paying for building regulation and therefore being inspected. That is one of the issues that we will explore with the industry. It is about how we can ensure professional standards and professional independence in safety-critical situations.

[Dame Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside) (Lab/Co-op)]

I have previously raised in the Chamber the situation of my constituents in Heysmoor Heights in Liverpool. They live in a high-rise property owned by the offshore company Abacus Land 4. My constituents have already paid for replacement cladding. The situation in relation to insurance cover is completely confused: constituents were told that it was covered, but are now told that it is not. In view of the Minister’s commitment that private owners should not pass on the cost of replacement cladding to leaseholders, will he intervene in the case of Heysmoor Heights?

[Kit Malthouse]

I am more than happy to look into the specific situation and write to the hon. Lady once I have had a review from the Department.