Call for Evidence

During these sessions the Committee will scrutinise the policy objectives, key provisions and likely impact of the draft Bill. These reflect the five broad areas of reform as set out in the Government’s consultation (accountability, residents’ voice, enforcement and sanctions, product testing and regulatory system), while also reflecting the concerns the Committee raised in its July 2019 report (Building regulations and fire safety: consultation response and connected issues) and other correspondence: This will include assessing:

• How well does the Bill, as drafted, meet the Government’s own policy intentions?
• Does the draft Bill establish an appropriate scope for the new regulatory system?
• Will the Bill provide for a robust – and realistic – system of accountability for those responsible for building safety? Are the sanctions on those who do not meet their responsibilities strong enough?
• Will the Bill provide strong mechanisms to ensure residents are listened to when they have concerns about their building’s safety?
• Is the Government right to propose a new Building Safety Charge? Does the bill introduce sufficient protections to ensure that leaseholders do not face excessive charges and that their funds are properly managed?
• Does the Bill improve the product testing regime in a way that will command the full confidence of the sector?
• Is it right that the new Building Safety Regulator be established under the Health and Safety Executive, and how should it be funded?
• Does the Bill present an opportunity to address other building safety issues, such as requirements for sprinkler systems?

Prior to the publication of the draft Bill  the Government held a public consultation on the proposals. The Committee will take into account the response to that consultation as part of its pre-legislative scrutiny. However, written evidence is invited specifically on aspects of the draft Bill as published which are considered to go beyond the scope of the Government's consultation. Respondents should not feel obliged to respond to every question. Submissions should address the bullet points identified above. It would be helpful if contributions addressing specific clauses of the bill, identify those within the submission. The Committee would be grateful for such submissions to be made by 14 September.

Please note that while you may request anonymity or confidentiality for your submission, a simple desire for privacy is not considered by the Committee to be a reason for redaction in itself, as committee inquiries are public processes in which submitters choose to participate. Unless there is a likelihood that the submission may potentially lead to adverse effects on family or others, we would be unlikely to grant anonymity.