Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will publish the criteria by which his Department is assessing the adequacy of local authorities' funding for the retrospective fitting of sprinklers in tower blocks.

Building owners are responsible for funding fire safety measures in their buildings, and local authorities should draw on existing resources to implement these measures. However, if a local authority considers works to be essential, based on expert advice and taking into account any recommendations or advice from the local fire and rescue service, we will consider the removal of financial restrictions. This might be either extending the ability to borrow within the Housing Revenue Account, or possibly a one off agreement to use general fund money.

Any local authority that wishes to discuss their position should contact my Department.