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

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 29 June 2017 to Question 371, whether there is a requirement to remove polystyrene ceiling tiles from older buildings.

Where following an inspection of dwelling under the Housing Act 2004, a local authority identifies polystyrene ceiling tiles as being a fire risk, an Improvement Notice can be served requiring their removal. Failure to comply with an Improvement Notice is a criminal offence for which local authorities can impose a financial penalty of up to £30,000 and apply for a Rent Repayment Order covering up to 12 month’s rent, or prosecute in the courts which have the power to impose an unlimited fine.