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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to Written Statement of 9 October 2018 on Building safety update, HCWS976, whether he plans to extend the ban on combustible materials to all care homes irrespective of height.

The Government consulted on applying the ban to residential buildings with a top storey more than 18 metres above ground level, in line with current Building Regulation’s guidance. Following analysis of consultation responses we also included, registered care premises above 18 metres. The majority of respondents to the consultation showed support for this height threshold and it will be used as the basis for the ban to be consistent with current guidance. The Government will review this height threshold as part of the wider technical review of the building regulations for fire safety set to start in the Autumn.

All registered care homes are inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) who liaise with local fire services as part of their on going monitoring. On inspection, CQC look at how providers are assessing fire risks to ensure the safety of the resident. The findings of the CQC assessments must be acted on without delay if improvements are required.