Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that Whirlpool tumble dryers are still a fire risk, after the company reported that the fault has been fixed.

The Government’s priority is to keep consumers safe.

The review by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) published on 4^th April found that there is a low risk of harm or injury from lint fires in modified Whirlpool tumble dryers. The evidence indicates that the modification reduces the risk of fire.

OPSS has published specific requirements for Whirlpool to act on and issued a Decision Letter requiring that Whirlpool take further actions, including improving its management of risk and setting up a more rigorous system of quality assurance to ensure modifications are correctly installed and remain effective over time.

OPSS will hold Whirlpool to account in regard to these requirements as part of the company’s obligations with regard to the safety of products.