Written question asked by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Friday, 1 September 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 6 September 2023 (named day). It was answered by Lee Rowley (Conservative) on Wednesday, 6 September 2023 on behalf of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Buildings: Insulation

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he plans to offer financial assistance to businesses that may have lost trade because their building is covered in scaffolding in order to repair unsafe cladding.

Answer: Government building safety schemes provide funding for the remediation or mitigation of life safety fire risks associated with externally clad walls, ensuring the safety of all occupants, including co-located businesses. While there is no additional funding for businesses affected by necessary remediation works, we do expect companies in these buildings to be consulted about proposed repairs. We also require construction companies funded to carry out this work to comply with the Considerate Constructors Scheme, through which they work to manage the impact on the local community and the environment.

Secondary information