Contributions
1,571 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTower Blocks: CladdingI simply do not accept that personal attack on the Prime Minister. This is a Prime Minister who has committed an unprecedented sum of money. Let us remember that, when I took…12 May 2021HANSARDTower Blocks: CladdingMy Lords, I start by pointing out that on 95% of the buildings that were identified at the start of last year as having the same cladding as Grenfell Tower either the cladding has…12 May 2021HANSARDTower Blocks: CladdingMy Lords, it is very clear from our independent expert advice that the greatest risk in terms of fire safety is the cladding system that accelerates the spread of fire. It is…12 May 2021HANSARDTower Blocks: CladdingMy Lords, I note the point that has been made, but it is interesting to note that, four years after Grenfell, two authorities are still discovering the existence potentially of…12 May 2021HANSARDTower Blocks: CladdingMy Lords, we made it a condition of accessing any form of government funding that building owners should go through all the routes of redress, in terms of looking at warranties…12 May 2021HANSARDTower Blocks: CladdingMy Lords, I have mentioned the unprecedented level of funding that has been put forward towards the remediation of cladding, but the risks inherent in a medium-rise building are…12 May 2021HANSARDTower Blocks: CladdingMy Lords, my department has been engaged with Ballymore for more than two years to progress the work to remediate unsafe cladding. We are also paying for expert construction…12 May 2021HANSARDTower Blocks: CladdingI would like to express my deepest sympathies to the residents affected by the fire at New Providence Wharf and pay tribute to the swift response by the London Fire Brigade. We…12 May 2021HANSARDTower Blocks: CladdingMy Lords, we have to be clear that the agreement is with the building owner and not with individual leaseholders. No leaseholder will be required to fund additional works as a…12 May 2021HANSARDLeaseholders and Property Management CompaniesMy Lords, I am aware that there are sharp practices across the board. But, by law, service charges and other charges have to be reasonable, and costs have to relate to the work or…29 Apr 2021HANSARDLeaseholders and Property Management CompaniesMy Lords, we recognise the importance of having an overarching system of regulation and having it reviewed, which is why the noble Lord, Lord Best, is looking at that matter.…29 Apr 2021HANSARDLeaseholders and Property Management CompaniesClearly not, my Lords.29 Apr 2021HANSARDLeaseholders and Property Management CompaniesMy noble friend will know that there are various reasons leaseholders may exercise the right to manage, and the Government are committed to simplifying the process. I point out…29 Apr 2021HANSARDLeaseholders and Property Management CompaniesMy Lords, the Government are considering under what circumstances fees and charges for leaseholders and for people in sheltered housing are justified and whether they should be…29 Apr 2021HANSARDLeaseholders and Property Management CompaniesMy Lords, my noble friend knows that the Government wish to extend the benefits of freehold ownership to more homeowners; that is why we are establishing a commonhold council to…29 Apr 2021HANSARDLeaseholders and Property Management CompaniesMy Lords, we believe very strongly that any fees and charges should be justifiable, transparent and communicated effectively and that there should be a clear route to challenge or…29 Apr 2021HANSARDLeaseholders and Property Management CompaniesThe Government are committed to promoting fairness and transparency for homeowners and ensuring that leaseholders are protected from abuse and poor service. Following Law…29 Apr 2021HANSARDLeaseholders and Property Management CompaniesMy Lords, this is clearly a wide-ranging question that raises all kinds of issues. I will have to write to the noble Baroness on the progress of that matter.29 Apr 2021HANSARDLeaseholders and Property Management CompaniesMy Lords, the Government have already put an unprecedented sum of money—over £5 billion—on the table to support the remediation of unsafe cladding. We made it very clear that the…29 Apr 2021HANSARDLeaseholders and Property Management CompaniesMy Lords, I am not sure that you can charge differentially because of the extent of a letting period. I know managing agents will seek to maximise their percentage within the…29 Apr 2021