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

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many local authorities and housing associations have approached his Department for funding to support remedial fire safety work in tower blocks; how many applications to his Department for funding to support remedial fire safety work in tower blocks have been (a) approved and (b) rejected, and what funds his Department has available to fund remedial fire safety work in tower blocks.

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.

36 local authorities have been in touch with 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 detail provided by 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.