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Two housing associations to be ‘early adopters on building safety’
Two housing associations and two house builders are set to be the first of the government’s “early adopters on building safety”.
L&Q and Salix Homes, as well as builders Willmott Dixon and Kier, will work with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to trial ways of working in line with the recommendations of Dame Judith Hackitt’s review of building regulations.
The government has also encouraged others in the sector to come forward and volunteer to join them in implementing a new way of working post-Grenfell.
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In a written statement to Parliament, James Brokenshire, housing secretary, said: “The Hackitt Review identified a lack of leadership within the construction and fire safety industries as a contributory failure on building safety.
“I want the construction industry to drive action on building safety now, leading from the front and changing practice and behaviour. We know there are many who are already doing the right thing, and I want to encourage more in the industry to do the same.”
The government also announced its intention to set up a panel of residents for the ongoing Building Safety Programme, the initiative set up after the Grenfell Tower fire.
Lucy Grove, Grenfell programme lead at the National Housing Federation added: “The National Housing Federation is pleased to be working with MHCLG and our members on the early adopter scheme.
“Implementation of the Hackitt Review needs to be a priority for both government and industry, but it will be a complicated and lengthy process. That is why it is very important that key recommendations are piloted within the housing association sector, and more broadly to start, to see action on the ground and ensure these initiatives lead to meaningful and lasting change.”
In the same statement, Mr Brokenshire welcomed the work of the Home Office and National Fire Chiefs Council in setting up a Fire Standards Board to produce professional standards for fire and rescue services in England.
He said he planned to set up an Industry Safety Steering Group to ensure that the industry undergoes the necessary cultural change – Dame Judith’s central recommendation.
