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

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment his Department has made of (a) the cost to the public purse of the proposed Building Safety Managers and (b) whether that costs constitutes value for money.

The Building Safety Manager will be an individual or organisation who is appointed by, and enters into contract with, the Principal Accountable Person. It is not expected for the costs to fall on the public purse.

In line with recommendations set out by Dame Judith Hackitt, their role is to support Accountable Persons in the management of fire and structural safety in occupied high-rise residential buildings that are in scope of the new regime. A competent Building Safety Manager must be appointed for all occupied buildings, with the exception of where the Principal Accountable Person has notified the Building Safety Regulator that they have the requisite competence and capability and will fulfil the role themselves.

The Government is committed to ensuring safe outcomes for residents of high-rise buildings; Building Safety Managers will provide expertise and assistance to help ensure residents feel safe in their homes.