1/9 #buildingsafetybill
Further amendments have been tabled today, which you can read here: bills.parliament.uk/publications/4…
As with all amendments, they may or may not be adopted as part of the final Building Safety Act.
We still watch the amendments to see where the Bill may go.
Further amendments have been tabled today, which you can read here: bills.parliament.uk/publications/4…
As with all amendments, they may or may not be adopted as part of the final Building Safety Act.
We still watch the amendments to see where the Bill may go.
2/9 In addition to last week's amendment suggesting that the government consult on all new buildings having staircases that meet BS-5395-1, there are 2 further amendments, one from Lord Young of Cookham and one from Lord Blencathra.
3/9 Both Lords Young and Blencathra are Conservative peers.
It is harder for the government to argue against members of its own party than with Opposition peers.
As explained below, the nature of these amendments also puts pressure on the government to improve the Bill.
It is harder for the government to argue against members of its own party than with Opposition peers.
As explained below, the nature of these amendments also puts pressure on the government to improve the Bill.
4/9 Lord Young's amendment clarifies what "safety" means in Part 1 of the Bill.
If adopted, this would force the new Building Safety Regulator to focus on the risk of harm and injury. This would limit the scope of its powers, which are arguably suited to residential buildings.
If adopted, this would force the new Building Safety Regulator to focus on the risk of harm and injury. This would limit the scope of its powers, which are arguably suited to residential buildings.
5/9 Lord Blencathra's amendment also tries to shape the exercise of the powers under the new law by setting a series of statutory objectives.
If adopted, these objectives would also limit the scope of the new law.
If adopted, these objectives would also limit the scope of the new law.
6/9 The objectives are:
1/ that the cladding issue is resolved quickly;
2/ that cladding manufacturers are held accountable;
3/ that assessments of safety issues are proportionate;
4/ that leaseholders should be spared disproportionate costs, forfeiture and be allowed to sublet;
1/ that the cladding issue is resolved quickly;
2/ that cladding manufacturers are held accountable;
3/ that assessments of safety issues are proportionate;
4/ that leaseholders should be spared disproportionate costs, forfeiture and be allowed to sublet;
7/9 The last objective is 5/ that mitigation measures (such as sprinklers) be preferred over more intrusive remedial works wherever possible.
The Young and Blencathra amendments therefore repeat back to the government things it has said many times already.
The Young and Blencathra amendments therefore repeat back to the government things it has said many times already.
8/9 The thinking behind the Young and Blencathra amendments is to get the government to improve the Bill by changing its wording to reflect its own past statements.
A key thing to watch for is how many amendments of this nature are proposed and how the government responds.
A key thing to watch for is how many amendments of this nature are proposed and how the government responds.
9/9 All amendments tabled by 14 February 2022 will be considered in Grand Committee.
The Grand Committee will meet for the first time on 21 February 2022.
Further sessions will follow on 24 February, 28 February and 2 March 2022.
The Grand Committee will meet for the first time on 21 February 2022.
Further sessions will follow on 24 February, 28 February and 2 March 2022.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
