Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #FireSafetyBill
Most recents (20)
#EndOurCladdingScandal takeover [THREAD] 🧵
🚨6 people died at Lakanal House fire in 2009
đź’š72 died at Grenfell in 2017
🔍The #GrenfellInquiry revealed that the Government has known about dangerous cladding since 2002 [1/9]
🚨6 people died at Lakanal House fire in 2009
đź’š72 died at Grenfell in 2017
🔍The #GrenfellInquiry revealed that the Government has known about dangerous cladding since 2002 [1/9]
Successive governments failed to act ✖️
Thousands more buildings were built with dangerous cladding as a result✖️
Product manufacturers lied about the safety of their products ✖️
#TheyKnew [2/9]
Thousands more buildings were built with dangerous cladding as a result✖️
Product manufacturers lied about the safety of their products ✖️
#TheyKnew [2/9]
1/8 #QueensSpeech '21 is a mixed bag in terms of #EndOurCladdingScandal and for #leaseholdreform
As promised, the government has announced a bill to ban new ground rents. Commitments were made during the #FireSafetyBill debates last month to also look at forfeiture.
As promised, the government has announced a bill to ban new ground rents. Commitments were made during the #FireSafetyBill debates last month to also look at forfeiture.
2/8 Implementing the rest of the Law Commission's recent reports on #leaseholdreform is expected to wait until later.
The balance of the package outlined important reforms on cheaper lease extension, easier Right To Manage and improving commonhold.
We need all these reforms.
The balance of the package outlined important reforms on cheaper lease extension, easier Right To Manage and improving commonhold.
We need all these reforms.
3/8 As expected, the government also promises that the #BuildingSafetyBill is to be introduced this session.
We wait to see if the deeply unpopular Building Safety Charge is still included and how "high risk buildings" will actually be defined in the new law.
We wait to see if the deeply unpopular Building Safety Charge is still included and how "high risk buildings" will actually be defined in the new law.
THREAD 1/18
This week marks #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek.
This is a cycle of how the #BuildingSafetyCrisis and living in in block under 9 metres with ACM cladding and all the other defects has affected me in just under 8 months 👇
#EndOurCladdingScandal
#NotJustCladding
This week marks #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek.
This is a cycle of how the #BuildingSafetyCrisis and living in in block under 9 metres with ACM cladding and all the other defects has affected me in just under 8 months 👇
#EndOurCladdingScandal
#NotJustCladding
Part 1: Lack of sleep.
Going to bed and thinking "what happens if there is a fire and we don't wake up?".
Turn on all phone sounds in case neighbours call. Prepare "emergency" box with key valuables/docs in case we need to flee the flat. 2/18
Going to bed and thinking "what happens if there is a fire and we don't wake up?".
Turn on all phone sounds in case neighbours call. Prepare "emergency" box with key valuables/docs in case we need to flee the flat. 2/18
Part 2: The tears.
And there were a lot of them from the minute we found out our building was not safe. #WakingWatch parked outside our front door the very next day.
We learnt we had same cladding as #Grenfell, missing cavity barriers, balconies are rubbish - the whole hog. 3/18
And there were a lot of them from the minute we found out our building was not safe. #WakingWatch parked outside our front door the very next day.
We learnt we had same cladding as #Grenfell, missing cavity barriers, balconies are rubbish - the whole hog. 3/18
1/3 #FireSafetyBill we are all tired, angry and disappointed at what happened this evening. I certainly am.
I will write a "what's next" with some FAQs in the morning, but here are some off-the-cuff thoughts for now.
I will write a "what's next" with some FAQs in the morning, but here are some off-the-cuff thoughts for now.
2/3 The Lords had no choice but to back down this evening. The lack of Conservative backbench rebels in the Commons meant it was pointless to send the #FireSafetyBill back again.
That's unfortunately how our system of government works.
That's unfortunately how our system of government works.
3/3 The government has now broken its promise that it would protect leaseholders from costs, affordable or otherwise.
The government made a choice to break its promises.
The government owns the consequences that flow from that choice.
The government made a choice to break its promises.
The government owns the consequences that flow from that choice.
#claddingscandal @ukcag @EOCS_Official @KathPinnock @team_greenhalgh @Royston_Smith @BishopStAlbans @SMcPartland @GrenfellUnited @RosieOSullivan8 As MPs and Lords debate #FireSafetyBill, our key findings from #wakingwatch survey of 77 buildings are shocking:
Costs: average cost to date of ÂŁ194,000 per building; leaseholders face average monthly bill of ÂŁ296 but 1 in 5 pay over ÂŁ500 a month.
Time: 61 buildings still have a WW in place, with an average of 10 months so far, but 12 buildings are in their second year of WW and some are in their 3rd and 4th year. One building has had a WW for 42 months.
1/5 #FireSafetyBill reaches the end game.
@LordRoyKennedy has put down a motion that the Lords insists on keeping the amendment thrown out by the Commons earlier today.
That sets up a "double insistence" because it is the second time the Lords has offered the same amendment.
@LordRoyKennedy has put down a motion that the Lords insists on keeping the amendment thrown out by the Commons earlier today.
That sets up a "double insistence" because it is the second time the Lords has offered the same amendment.
2/5 Neither House can insist on the same amendment twice.
If the Lords passes this motion and the Commons again rejects the amendment later today or tomorrow then the #FireSafetyBill will be lost.
Rule explained here: erskinemay.parliament.uk/section/5541/d…
If the Lords passes this motion and the Commons again rejects the amendment later today or tomorrow then the #FireSafetyBill will be lost.
Rule explained here: erskinemay.parliament.uk/section/5541/d…
3/5 If @LordRoyKennedy motion does go to a vote and is passed, it forces the gov't to choose between losing the bill or compromising to protect leaseholders.
This underlines how deeply the Lords feels on this issue. It is extremely rare for their to be double insistence.
This underlines how deeply the Lords feels on this issue. It is extremely rare for their to be double insistence.
@nbdbuk #FireSafetyBill: Commons is just concluding the item before the bill on the agenda. MPs are asking questions regarding the UK's aid for India to help it cope with its coronavirus outbreak.
@nbdbuk #FireSafetyBill once this item is over the House of Commons will start to consider the bill. Debate will last no more than 1 hour.
@nbdbuk #FireSafetyBill expect the government to try to knock out the amendment added by @LordRoyKennedy in the Lords last night.
Anything less than a majority of 145 for the government on that vote shows a rebellion. Key test is whether number of rebels holds up.
Anything less than a majority of 145 for the government on that vote shows a rebellion. Key test is whether number of rebels holds up.
1/6 Many thanks to @LKPleasehold for publishing my write up of Commons and Lords proceedings on #FireSafetyBill yesterday.
There were some encouraging signs yesterday, which I summarise in this thread.
There's still a chance for the gov't to see sense and change track today.
There were some encouraging signs yesterday, which I summarise in this thread.
There's still a chance for the gov't to see sense and change track today.
2/6 Yesterday's positives were:
1. The Commons rebellion among Conservative backbenchers held strong.
2. The Lords voted by a large majority to protect leaseholders.
3. Gov't indicated it would bring forward a ban on forfeiture & extend limitation periods for building defects
1. The Commons rebellion among Conservative backbenchers held strong.
2. The Lords voted by a large majority to protect leaseholders.
3. Gov't indicated it would bring forward a ban on forfeiture & extend limitation periods for building defects
3/6 The forfeiture and limitation reforms have been long advocated by leasehold campaigners, including @LKPleasehold and @PBottomleyMP and @NLC_2019.
They are not to be sniffed at, assuming the government keeps its promises.
But they are not nearly enough.
They are not to be sniffed at, assuming the government keeps its promises.
But they are not nearly enough.
@nbdbuk #FireSafetyBill thanks to @nbdbuk and the team of volunteers supporting the thread today.
Commons is just starting on the item before (a measure to reduce tool theft).
There's a short break after this item and then we will be on to the Fire Safety Bill, around 2.30 p.m.
Commons is just starting on the item before (a measure to reduce tool theft).
There's a short break after this item and then we will be on to the Fire Safety Bill, around 2.30 p.m.
@nbdbuk In terms of what to expect today on #FireSafetyBill government will try to knock out the @BishopStAlbans amendment added in the Lords last week.
It may offer a concession to avoid another rebellion. Last time 33 Conservatives rebelled against their party.
It may offer a concession to avoid another rebellion. Last time 33 Conservatives rebelled against their party.
@nbdbuk @BishopStAlbans The bill will then go back to the House of Lords around 4.40 this afternoon. The Lords will have 3 choices. It can either give-up, add a completely new amendment, or try a revised version of @BishopStAlbans amendment.
1/12 It is both regrettable & a testament to political checks/balances that the #FireSafetyBill discussion continues. It's a complex issue, a systematic failure, profit being prioritised over safety, inadequate regulation & an insidious relationship between industries & politics.
2. On Tues the govt. will say that the proposed FSB amendment is too simplistic, is holding up important legislation, is an example of the overreach of unelected peers & would have far reaching & unintended consequences. The Fire Safety Bill is a welcome change, but any delay...
3. ...is caused by the govt. and the continued failure to adequately address a national building scandal. If the FSB does not pass before the end of the session that is wholly down to the govt. and their choice to prioritise donors over voters and not to find a real solution.
#FireSafetyBill THREAD
The Lords is currently considering the item before the Fire Safety Bill. This is a new law to exempt the square footage of public toilets from business rates. The idea is the tax break will encourage private building owners to provide more toilets.
The Lords is currently considering the item before the Fire Safety Bill. This is a new law to exempt the square footage of public toilets from business rates. The idea is the tax break will encourage private building owners to provide more toilets.
Proceedings are live here: parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/39…
I am working with @nbdbuk and a team of volunteers to explain today's proceedings via live tweets. Thank you to everyone helping.
I am working with @nbdbuk and a team of volunteers to explain today's proceedings via live tweets. Thank you to everyone helping.
The Lords will debate whether to add one of 3 amendments to the bill. The first is @BishopStAlbans. It bans leaseholders from paying costs associated with the #FireSafetyBill until the gov't produces a comprehensive scheme to prevent leaseholders paying for others' mistakes.
1/7 A Tale of Two Scandals. Today the government has announced it will change the law to refund investors who lost money in the London & Capital Finance mini bond scheme. Why? Because the government accepts the FCA failed to regulate the firm properly. #EndOurCladdingScandal
2/7 Quite rightly, the government is going to change the law so innocent investors can get the same level of compensation they would have received had they been eligible under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, see: bit.ly/3x63cyN
3/7 Compare and contrast that to #EndOurCladdingScandal. There, the government admits there has been widespread regulatory failure. It proposes to pay out a tiny fraction of the cost. A cost vastly inflated by its own botched interventions via Advice Notes and waking watch.
@claddingscanda1 Why?
Legacy concerns over security or arson risks
+
convenient FOI blocking strategy for an embattled @GOVUK
All of which is ridiculous when national enforcement registers are a) required by law to be in the public domain
b) list full details
cfoa.org.uk/11823
Legacy concerns over security or arson risks
+
convenient FOI blocking strategy for an embattled @GOVUK
All of which is ridiculous when national enforcement registers are a) required by law to be in the public domain
b) list full details
cfoa.org.uk/11823
@claddingscanda1 @GOVUK Given the sensitivity of this subject matter here are some useful links signposted to allow more informed positions.
Here’s an informative article from @kentfirerescue on enforcement policy & key enforcement considerations.
kent.fire-uk.org/your-safety/bu…
Here’s an informative article from @kentfirerescue on enforcement policy & key enforcement considerations.
kent.fire-uk.org/your-safety/bu…
@claddingscanda1 @GOVUK @kentfirerescue All statutory enforcement agencies are bounded by legislation & a clear regulators code.
Primary legislation- Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006
Secondary The Legislative and Regulatory Reform (Regulatory Functions) Order 2007 (as amended)
gov.uk/government/pub…
Primary legislation- Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006
Secondary The Legislative and Regulatory Reform (Regulatory Functions) Order 2007 (as amended)
gov.uk/government/pub…
So this is the response I have from our MP regarding #EndOurCladdingScandal #firesafetybill
Leaseholders should live in homes that are safe and have the right to expect that their home has been built to a high standard.
Leaseholders should live in homes that are safe and have the right to expect that their home has been built to a high standard.
Developers should be putting right what is wrong with properties and I believe that they have a legal responsibility to do so.
Whilst many developers have acted responsibly in arranging surveys and completing remedial works, almost all have been slowed down by the pandemic, a lack of assessors, testing delays and the sheer scale of the task at hand.
STATEMENT on the #FireSafetyBill
'The issues at the heart of the building safety crisis are very simple – they are of fairness and of political choice: will leaseholders be protected from ruinous costs to fix a scandal not of their making?
1/7
'The issues at the heart of the building safety crisis are very simple – they are of fairness and of political choice: will leaseholders be protected from ruinous costs to fix a scandal not of their making?
1/7
Ministers and two Prime Ministers have promised countless times that leaseholders should not pay for shoddy construction work, corporate malfeasance and botched government interventions.
2/7
2/7
This evening they broke that promise by voting against an amendment that would protect us in law.
They failed to listen to common sense and the moral arguments set out by the Lords. We are disappointed – and we are angry.
3/7
They failed to listen to common sense and the moral arguments set out by the Lords. We are disappointed – and we are angry.
3/7
#FireSafetyBill THREAD We're approaching the end of the debate on the Trade Bill. The debate has concerned what steps Parliament should take to avoid entering into trade deals with countries with poor human rights records. After a vote Commons will move on to the Fire Safety Bill
1/ The question the House of Commons is being asked today on #FireSafetyBill is whether the Lords amendment (aka McPartland-Smith amendment) should stay as part of the bill or not. There will be a one hour debate followed by a vote.
2/ Things to watch today are (1) whether the government offers anything to help leaseholders beyond what has already been announced and/or (2) whether any Conservative MPs vote against the government or abstain from voting.
The #CladdingScandal is a story of broken Tory promises, pushing thousands into financial hardship and paralysing part of the housing market. As the #FireSafetyBill comes back to the Commons, here is a refresher of just a few of the government's broken promises so far (THREAD).
Why does this matter? There are hundreds of thousands of leaseholders in the UK still living in buildings with unsafe cladding and other fire safety issues, almost four years after the Grenfell Tower disaster.
Today, MPs will vote on an amendment which would legally protect leaseholders from the costs of a problem they did not cause. Legal protection is extremely important - on the evidence below, it is clear leaseholders need more than Tory promises.
Ahead of tomorrow's #FireSafetyBill vote, we urge MPs to listen to the victims of the #BuildingSafetyCrisis, not the false 'reassurances' from Ministers.
These are real-life experiences of leaseholders right now 👇
Full Video 1 - Who's Paying the Price?:
These are real-life experiences of leaseholders right now 👇
Full Video 1 - Who's Paying the Price?:
Why should Alex be facing evacuation from his home, and paying for defects he did not create?
#EndOurCladdingScandal
#EndOurCladdingScandal
@RobertJenrick, why should leaseholders have to worry about how to evacuate their children from a home they are trapped in?
#EndOurCladdingScandal
#NotJustCladding
#EndOurCladdingScandal
#NotJustCladding
THREAD: #FireSafetyBill Lords proceedings on amendments now starting. Lord Greenhalgh speaking now.
2/ Watch via Parliament Live here: parliamentlive.tv/event/index/4a…
3/ Lord Greenhalgh’s opening comments are that the Bill has so far taken a year. He does not want it held up by further amendments because this is not the place the resolve the issues raised by any of the amendments.
1/7 The Government’s handling of the cladding crisis has lacked any sense of grip or urgency. We have deep concerns that people are being put at risk, trapped in flammable buildings for a third lockdown, with leaseholders placed in an impossible position.
telegraph.co.uk/property/uk/la…
telegraph.co.uk/property/uk/la…
2/7 Ministers promised over15 times that cladding costs wouldn't be passed on to leaseholders, but have broken their promises. Labour has tabled more amendments to the #FireSafetyBill to lock into law the principle that leaseholders are protected from unfair fire safety costs.
3/7 Labour is supportive of other amendments which help achieve this goal. The amendment tabled by McPartland and Smith provides welcome clarity on the specific costs that would be prevented from being passed on to leaseholders, but Labour has sought to go further.
