New Build Homes: Construction Standards

Ben Goldsborough, the Labour MP for South Norfolk, asked the Government what steps it is taking to help improve standards of construction in new build homes. Rushanara Ali, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, responded that the Building Safety Act 2022 requires building safety and standards to be kept under review, and that building regulations can be updated as needed. Mr. Goldsborough expressed concern that residents in Hethersett and Loddon have faced issues with new homes being built to poor standards, and asked if the Government agrees that the 1.5 million new homes it aims to deliver must be of decent quality. Ms. Ali acknowledged the importance of ensuring new build homebuyers have confidence in the quality and safety of their homes, and stated that the Government is committed to improving redress for homebuyers when things go wrong. Bob Blackman, the Conservative MP for Harrow East, raised the issue of unsafe high-rise buildings, where developers are refusing to carry out necessary work. Ms. Ali acknowledged the hon. Gentleman's previous work on this agenda, and stated that the Government has published a written ministerial statement setting out actions in relation to the outstanding phase 1 recommendations of the Grenfell inquiry, with further work underway to accelerate the process of making buildings safe. Dame Meg Hillier, the Labour/Co-op MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch, highlighted the problems faced by her constituents living in leasehold properties, and the lack of skilled workers in the construction industry, which is hindering the delivery of necessary remediation work. Ms. Ali acknowledged the importance of upskilling the industry and stated that the Department and the Building Safety Regulator will support the industry in identifying and addressing skills and capacity gaps. Ellie Chowns, the Green MP for North Herefordshire, asked the Minister to bring forward legislation in the forthcoming planning and infrastructure Bill to ensure all new houses have solar panels on their roofs as standard and that net zero building standards are introduced as soon as possible. Ms. Ali stated that the Government's future home building programme will address these issues. Finally, Clive Betts, the Labour MP for Sheffield South East, raised the issue of accessibility standards for new homes, noting that the previous Government had consulted on this but delayed implementation. Ms. Ali acknowledged the importance of this issue and stated that the Government's written ministerial statement had set out proposals on this, and that further work would be done to address it.