Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 24
24
Not Addressed
Delayed government guidance and existing litigation hinder resolution of remediation disputes
Recommendation
MHCLG’s Remediation Acceleration Plan (the Plan) commits to publishing guidance to help where disputes between parties are delaying remediation. However, in written evidence, the Home Builders’ Federation (HBF) noted that MHCLG made this commitment over 18 months ago and it was yet to be delivered.39 MHCLG described how it had tried to resolve disputes in the meantime, undertaking its own assessments of the scope of work required and brokering arrangements both sides will accept. However, it noted that where disagreements persist it remained reliant on existing enforcement routes.40 The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) warned how existing enforcement and litigation can hinder rather than speed up the pace of remediation. The National Housing Federation (NHF) similarly described an example where litigation on a disputed building will not reach court until 2026 despite residents having been evacuated from the building as long ago as 2019.41 38 C&AG’s Report, para 1.6; RDC0145, Written evidence submitted by End Our Cladding Scandal 39 RDC0006, Written evidence submitted by the Home Builders Federation; MHCLG Remediation Acceleration Plan 40 Qq 48, 49 41 Q 21; RDC0099, Written evidence submitted by the National Fire Chiefs Council 18
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the recommendation, but commits only to writing to the Committee annually from Summer 2025 until 2029 to report on overall remediation progress, without specifying action on publishing guidance for dispute resolution.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Summer 2025 3.2 The government will write to the Committee annually from Summer 2025, until Summer 2029 when, in alignment with the RAP, all 18m+ buildings with unsafe cladding in government-funded schemes will be remediated, and every 11m+ building will either be remediated, have a completion date, or landlords will face severe penalties.