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

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to the independent export group's report entitled Independent expert statement in building safety in medium and lower-rise blocks of flats, published on 12 July 2021, when his Department will change the Government's fire safety advice for residential buildings under 18 metres in height in line with the recommendations of that report.

Following the July Independent Expert Statement on Building Safety in medium and lower rise blocks of flats, the Government strongly supports the expert group's position that EWS1 forms should not be required on buildings under 18 metres. New guidance for the risk assessment of external wall systems will soon be introduced. The PAS9980 will ensure that fire risk assessments are consistent, proportionate to risk and actions to manage risk are cost-effective, and the Consolidated Advice Note will shortly be withdrawn. The combination of these changes and the commencement of the Fire Safety Act, and associated Fire Safety Order, will create a clear new proportionate and risk appropriate system for assessment.