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Concerns regarding Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety

30 January 2018

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Clive Betts, Chair of the Communities and Local Government Committee, again writes to the Chair of the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, following her response to previous issues raised by members.

Disappointed concerns have been so quickly dismissed

Mr Betts previously wrote to Dame Judith Hackitt on 9 January following her appearance before the Committee in December to discuss her interim report. The latest letter states that MPs were 'disappointed' with aspects of her reply and questions why concerns have been 'so quickly dismissed'.

The letter calls for Dame Judith to reconsider her view that the Review should not examine the current regime for testing domestic electrical appliances and again urges her to also undertake an examination of Part P of the building regulations.

The letter also notes the Committee's previous concerns that the Review's final report might focus solely on a risk-based rather than prescriptive approach to building regulation, stressing that it 'cannot be right' to continue to permit the use of combustible materials and that some form of prescription 'would seem absolutely necessary'.

The Independent Review, was set up by the Government in August following the fire in June at Grenfell Tower in west London that claimed the lives of 71 people, is due to be published in the spring, at which time Dame Judith may again be invited to appear before the Committee.

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