Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many requests his Department has received from (a) local authorities, (b) housing associations and (c) other social housing providers for financial support to fit sprinkler systems in high-rise tower blocks since the Grenfell Tower fire; and what his Department's response was to each of those requests.

We have been clear that building owners are responsible for funding fire safety measures, but councils should contact us if they have any concerns about funding fire safety works. Government will consider financial flexibilities for local authorities who need to undertake essential fire safety work to make a building safe.

32 local authorities have contacted the Department regarding work to ensure fire safety in tower blocks. We have not rejected any requests for support for essential works to make a building fire safe, and will consider further from local authorities as they provide it.

Housing associations that are concerned about their ability to meet these costs should contact the Social Housing Regulator. So far, no housing associations have contacted the Regulator with concerns about their financial viability as a result of having to meet these costs.