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Michael Gove to be quizzed by MPs on building safety and remediation

17 February 2022

Michael Gove, Secretary of State of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, will be questioned on his plans to solve the building safety crisis in an evidence session with the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee at 4pm, Monday 21 February.

The Committee’s inquiry on Building Safety: Remediation and Funding is principally examining the announcements Mr Gove made in the House of Commons on 10 January. It will also consider the announcement from the Department on 14 February on proposals to force industry to pay to remove cladding and to protect leaseholders from exorbitant costs. 

 

Key elements of Mr Gove’s plans to protect leaseholders include negotiating with developers and building material manufacturers to volunteer funding for remediating unsafe properties. His Department has also said firms who fail to comply may face barriers when applying for planning permission or have funding from Homes England withheld from them.

Mr Gove also called for a more proportionate approach to assessing building safety in order to ensure there are fewer demands for unnecessary surveys.
MPs on the cross-party Committee are likely to question the Secretary of State on the coverage of funds for remediation and which leaseholders will be protected from costs. He is likely to be asked about the cap on non-cladding costs for leaseholders that the Government is proposing.

There may also be questions about the impact of the Government’s proposals on social housing, and on the wider property market.

 

Witness

 

Monday 21 February

 

At 3.45pm

  • Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Further information

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