Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the suitability of using desktop studies to assess the flammability of cladding on buildings.

The Interim report of Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety made the following recommendation;

"The government should significantly restrict the use of desktop studies to approve changes to cladding and other systems to ensure that they are only used where appropriate and with sufficient, relevant test evidence. Those undertaking desktop studies must be able to demonstrate suitable competence. The industry should ensure that their use of desktop studies is responsible and in line with this aim."

The government has accepted this recommendation and will be consulting shortly on proposed changes to building regulations guidance.