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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether buildings under 11 metres high with cladding require an External Wall Survey (EWS) assessment.

On 8 March the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) published a new guidance note which outlines when an EWS1 form should be used, which is available at www.rics.org/uk/upholding-professional-standards/sector-standards/valuation/valuation-of-properties-in-multi-storey-multi-occupancy-residential-buildings-with-cladding/ . The EWS1 process is not a Government form or regulatory requirement, and when and whether the process is used will be determined by the policies of individual mortgage and valuation firms.