Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 33
33
Accepted in Part
Building remediation cost estimates for thousands of buildings remain uncertain without updates.
Recommendation
Almost eight years on from the Grenfell Tower fire, MHCLG’s latest estimate, in February 2024, was that there were between 9,000 and 12,000 residential buildings in England taller than 11 metres that will need remediating. Based on this modelling, MHCLG estimated that it would cost the Government, developers and building owners (including social housing providers) between £12.6 billion and £22.4 billion to complete the works. The NAO reported in November 2024 that MHCLG intended to refresh its model every six months. But at the time of our evidence session MHCLG had not yet published any further estimates. MHCLG told us it was keen to narrow the range down and that it hoped to publish updates over the course of this year.56
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and will publish the latest building number estimates by Summer 2025. However, the exact timing for publishing cost estimates and works completion dates is dependent on the 2025 Spending Review.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
5.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Summer 2025 5.2 The government will publish latest building number estimates by the summer. The exact timing of publication of estimates of costs and works completion dates, however, will depend on the outcome of the forthcoming Spending Review. A firmer publication timeline can be provided once this is known. 5.3 The government welcomes the review by Paul Morrell OBE and Anneliese Day KC. Their review maps out the existing system, identifies weaknesses, and sets out recommendations for addressing these where they considered it appropriate. It makes clear this is a complex area in need of reform. The Construction Products Reform Green Paper, published on 26 February 2025, is the government’s direct response to the review and signals its commitment for comprehensive proposals for system wide reforms to the construction products regime to give consumers confidence and underpin supply chains and housing delivery.