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Labour could propose building regulations legislation
Labour could put forward legislation to prompt a review of building regulations, after it was confirmed 95 towers had failed fire safety checks on cladding.
The government confirmed this afternoon that every sample of cladding checked so far by a specialist government unit had failed the combustibility test and in response Theresa May announced an urgent investigation into why the cladding on every tower block tested has been found to be combustible.
John Healey, shadow secretary of state for housing, said there “may be scope” for Labour to propose legislation that could command cross-party support, including from Conservative MPs concerned about a lack progress.
However, he pointed out the government controls the timing of legislation, which may make this approach difficult – particularly ahead of the summer recess.
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Speaking at Housing 2017 in Manchester, Mr Healey said: “On the broader legislative front there may be scope for us to propose legislation that could command support from some Conservative MPs and any other parties.
“[However] I think our best way is to try and make and win the arguments in order to persuade government that this is their responsibility, it’s their opportunity to act and the imperative is to do it now and not wait.”
Mr Healey said: “The public inquiry cannot be a reason for putting off what we already know, and what government already knows from the coroner’s reports in 2013. Building regulations need review, they need overhauling, in particular the Lakanal House coroner’s report pointed to the question of cladding and its potential to compromise the fire safety and security of the building.”
Mr Healey said the Grenfell Tower fire “was not a natural disaster, it was man made; it should never have happened”.
He added: “The responsibility for all of us, not just as politicians, but for all of us involved in a field like housing is to make sure that it never happens again.”
Mr Healey was joined at the conference by Labour mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham. It came as 17 tower blocks in Manchester were announced to have failed the government’s cladding fire safety tests.
Mr Burnham said he has set up a taskforce led by the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, but that “blanket advice” could not be given to tenants because every tower block is different.
He has asked landlords to reissue advice relevant to each of their blocks.
The task force is visiting every block in the region, including private sector blocks, to check if they are fire safe.
