New Building Safety Bill Proposed for Wales

The Welsh Government has announced that it intends to introduce a new Building Safety Bill for Wales that would bring new regulations to improve fire safety for multi-occupied residential buildings.

The announcement by Jane Bryant, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, follows the publication of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report. Bryant emphasised that while Welsh officials were still in the process of considering the Phase 2 report’s recommendations, they were generally aligned in support of the intended reforms in Wales that are planned to be introduced before the summer recess in 2025.

While specific measures have not yet been revealed or finalised, anticipated measures will include increased levels of scrutiny and new duty holder responsibilities.

The statement also highlighted that the measures introduced by the bill would include, with some exceptions, all multi-occupancy residential buildings, not just those of 18 meters and above. There was also a suggestion that the bill could introduce greater rights for tenants, giving them a voice in their building safety matters.

The full statement can be read on the Welsh Government website.

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