Major milestone reached in ending building safety crisis

The Remediation of Unsafe Cladding Bill was introduced to Parliament on 14 October 2026 as part of the government’s commitment to address the ongoing building safety crisis. Nine years after the Grenfell Tower tragedy, thousands of residents remain in homes with unsafe cladding, prompting the government to take further action. The Bill introduces new legal duties for freeholders and others responsible for building safety to identify, assess, and remediate issues without delay, with criminal penalties for obstruction.

The Bill establishes a stronger enforcement framework, including financial penalties of up to £500,000 for entities that fail to comply with Remediation Orders. It also introduces a safety net where third parties like Homes England or local authorities can step in if responsible parties fail to act. Additionally, leaseholders will have clearer legal routes to take control of building management if no effective owner exists, ensuring essential safety works proceed.

A new register of medium-rise residential buildings in England will be created, with failure to register resulting in civil penalties of up to £7,000 or higher penalties of up to £40,000. Fire risk appraisals of external walls will follow a consistent approach, and responsible entities must share remediation plans with residents, including proposed timescales. The Bill is expected to accelerate remediation for around 12,000 residents, including 3,000 who may otherwise never have seen their buildings remediated.

The measures complement existing efforts, including over £5 billion committed by the government, funding for buildings under 11 metres in exceptional circumstances, and an extra £1 billion to support social housing providers. The government has also appointed an independent Chief Construction and Scientific Adviser to strengthen building safety systems and deliver on Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations.