Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 17
17
Accepted
Implement measures to prevent recurrence of overdue gas safety certificates in service accommodation.
Conclusion
In a situation in which the contractor has no way of gaining entry to service accommodation without the occupier’s consent to carry out safety checks, and no option to cut supply, a very small number of properties are likely to have overdue gas safety certificates. However, the situation in 2023 with overdue certificates had clearly got out of control. The DIO must put in place measures to ensure that a similar situation cannot happen again. (Recommendation, Paragraph 80)
Government Response Summary
The MOD accepts the recommendation and has already implemented measures following a Learning from Experience exercise in Autumn 2023. These measures include aligning notification processes, transferring 'red card' access control to contractors, and engaging the chain of command, resulting in 99.4% LGSI and 99.9% EICR compliance.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The MOD accept the recommendations regarding the management of Landlord Gas Safety Inspection (LGSI) certificates and Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) certificates and the need for improved access protocols. We acknowledge there are situations where contractors cannot gain entry to SFA without the occupier’s consent, however, it remains crucial to address the very small number of properties that may have overdue LGSI and EICR certificates. The DIO is pleased to report significant progress in achieving a high compliance rate for LGSI certificates, with a 99.4% compliance and a 99.9% compliance rate for EICRs. This achievement follows a comprehensive Learning from Experience (LFE) exercise that was initiated during Autumn 2023 to address the previously high number of overdue LGSIs in SFA. One of the key measures implemented following the LFE exercise, was aligning the process for notifying householders of LGSI appointment dates to streamline the activity and remove inconsistencies, transferring the ‘red card’ access, when an occupant fails to be home for the inspection for a third time, fully under the control of the RAMS IPs, Amey and VIVO. The chain of command is also engaged to assist with access, as required. A report on overdue LGSIs and EICRs is provided weekly to the DIO to ensure performance is held at an acceptable level and incidents of ‘no access’ are appropriately escalated. to inform future transition between de-mobilisation and mobilisation at contract renewal. A report was shared with Ministers on 31 January 2024 and will be sent to the Committee with this report response.