Tonight on Newsnight we’ll be dedicating the whole show to the Building Safety Crisis and the nightmare in which thousands and thousands of people, sold the dream of home ownership, find themselves.
As things stand it will be thousands more still, many of whom don’t know it yet.
As things stand it will be thousands more still, many of whom don’t know it yet.
https://twitter.com/bbcnewsnight/status/1433511854765191170
If you think it’s just about cladding or a self contained problem, or just some boring thing about buildings and building safety you need to watch the programme. It is a public policy and commercial failure of eye-watering proportions, of enormous reach and depth.
This programme will help you understand where it’s come from, why it affects so many, why leaseholders, who are blameless are so often being saddled with the costs by organisations which most certainly aren’t.
People caught up in it include Gemma in East London. Like many facing the possibility of not losing her home but bankruptcy and losing her job too. All for having the temerity to buy a flat in good faith.
Or Matt from Salford. A bill of £100,000. Unable to sell the flat, unable to move on. Like frozen in aspic.
Or Sarah. Also facing bankruptcy.
Others only own a percentage of the equity via shared ownership schemes. Yet, funnily enough, are liable for 100% of the costs.
Government financial support so far only applies to buildings of 18m+ and then only for cladding.
Others only own a percentage of the equity via shared ownership schemes. Yet, funnily enough, are liable for 100% of the costs.
Government financial support so far only applies to buildings of 18m+ and then only for cladding.
Even if you technically qualify for the Building Safety Fund it doesn’t mean you’ll get it. The building Baz lives in in North London applies for BSF for cladding removal last year and was rejected. Many others in the same boat. Without it they are liable for the full cost.
Or Steph from Bristol. A bill of over £70,000.
You’ll notice those involved tend to be younger. These properties were sold to them as the first foot on the property ladder. Govts made it easier (via to Help to Buy etc) to take that step. Only now for them to face long term ruin.
You’ll notice those involved tend to be younger. These properties were sold to them as the first foot on the property ladder. Govts made it easier (via to Help to Buy etc) to take that step. Only now for them to face long term ruin.
Many are now completely unable to move on with their lives. Charlotte, who featured in my piece last night, would love to start a family but can’t move out of her one bed flat. She’s 33 and told me she’s worried this could drag on for years and the family never comes.
But not everyone involved is young. Val had retired as a nurse in the NHS. She’s been forced back to work, out of retirement, in order to try and cover the costs she’s now faced with- along with the fact that her home is now worthless.
https://twitter.com/BBCNewsnight/status/1433756264174178306
@RedfieldWilton did some polling for us on the crisis. Results were striking.
🏢16% of people either are affected or know someone who is (already high and will go up).
🏢only *1%* of people think leaseholders should pay.
🏢47% would be less likely to rent/buy a leasehold flat.
🏢16% of people either are affected or know someone who is (already high and will go up).
🏢only *1%* of people think leaseholders should pay.
🏢47% would be less likely to rent/buy a leasehold flat.
As we made clear in the programme last night this is a profound policy problem which has built under governments of 30 years. We wanted to give this government a chance to explain their plan. We approached them weeks ago. @mhclg chose not to make any minister available.
Hard to think there could have been a better forum to explain what they’ve done so far and what they’re planning to do - not to us but for the hundreds of thousands of people affected.
Nonetheless you can watch the programme in full for yourself here. bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episod…
Nonetheless you can watch the programme in full for yourself here. bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episod…
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