Written question WQ86341

In Wales we have always taken a holistic approach to fire safety and our Welsh Building Safety Fund goes beyond just identifying defects in external cladding. Our intrusive surveys examine both external and internal issues, including compartmentation, fire alert, and evacuation and suppression systems. This whole-building approach puts people’s safety first but is more complex that one which only deals with cladding.

I have considered and continue to consider, sections 116-125 of the Building Safety Act. However, our approach in Wales has been to work in collaboration with developers in negotiations to rectify fire safety defects in medium and high-rise buildings.

I have always made it clear that I expect developers to step up to their responsibilities and I do not expect leaseholders to bear the cost of repairing fire safety issues that are not of their making. I have made £375 million available to tackle building safety and I have taken steps to ensure all appropriate routes are being explored to make sure that all medium and high-rise building in Wales are as safe as they can be from fire.

I am pleased with our positive relationships with developers, which has resulted in 11 developers signing up to the Welsh Government Developers Pact. This confirms their intention to address fire safety issues in buildings of 11 metres and over in height that they have developed over the last 30 years.

I will continue to collaborate with them regularly in respect of remediation. Indeed, I met with developers on the 6 October to confirm next steps, their plans and timescales for remediation.

In addition, I am exploring all options, including legislation, to ensure those developers will face consequences of their unwillingness to accept their responsibilities.