Building Safety Bill, Lords Amendments

The Building Safety Bill seeks to reform building safety regulations in the UK, and makes provision about how remedial safety work is paid for. The Bill came back to the Commons on Wednesday 21 April 2022 having been amended by the Lords, so that we could vote on the amendments.

Motion to agree Government amendment (a) to LA 94. The Lords Amendment had sought to extend protections for leaseholders to those whose buildings are under 11 metres high. The Government’s amendment sought to reverse that extension. Leaseholders ought to be protected from having remediation costs passed on to them, whatever the height of their building. I voted against the motion, which was passed,  Ayes: 316 and Noes:188.

Motion to agree Lords Amendment 94, as amended. As described, the Lords Amendment excluded some leaseholders from protection following the acceptance of Government amendment (a).  I voted against the motion, which was passed,  Ayes :318, Noes:189.

Govt amendments (c) & (d) to LA184 would mean that though the majority of leaseholders would pay no safety remediation costs. However, if a freeholder cannot meet the full costs themselves then in certain circumstances some costs may be passed on to the leaseholder. Leaseholders should be fully protected from paying for defects not of their own making, in all cases. I voted against the motion, which was passed, Ayes:317 and Noes:190.

LA184, as amended. As described, the Lords Amendment excluded some leaseholders following the acceptance of Government amendments (c) and (d). I voted against this motion, which was passed, Ayes:318 and Noes:188.