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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the remediation of ACM cladding on privately-owned residential buildings, how many owners of such buildings (a) the Government has contacted directly to communicate the Government's expectation that leaseholders will be financially protected from the costs of such remediation, (b) have replied to that correspondence and (c) have said that they will financially protect leaseholders from the cost of such remediation.

I have written to all private sector building owners who are currently committed to passing on costs to leaseholders to make clear my strong expectation that leaseholders should be protected from costs. However, too many building owners have failed to take responsibility for ensuring these buildings are permanently remediated swiftly, and at no cost to leaseholders. I have therefore concluded that it is imperative for the Government to act. On 9 May we announced a fund for the remediation of unsafe Aluminium Composite Material cladding on all high-rise (over 18 metres) residential private sector buildings in England. It will allow remediation to happen quickly, it will restore peace of mind and it will allow residents living in these blocks to get on with their lives.