Sir Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, for what reason (a) housing associations and (b) local councils are not eligible to apply to the (i) Building Safety Fund and (ii) Cladding Safety Scheme set up to defray the costs of remediating faulty cladding; and if she will make it her policy to broaden the application criteria.  [52576]

[Due for Answer on 20 May]

ANSWER

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Growth and Building Safety (Alex Norris): Social landlords can apply to the Building Safety Fund and the Cladding Safety Scheme for funding equivalent to (1) the amount which the social landlord would otherwise be entitled to pass on to leaseholders; or (2) the full cost of remedial works where paying those costs would render the social landlord financially unviable.

As at end March 2025, government had committed £595m to support remediation of social housing through government schemes, including funding to remove Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding.

Social landlords face barriers to accelerating remediation, including access to upfront capital. The Government has increased targeted support for social landlords applying for government remediation funding, and we will this year announce a long-term strategy for accelerating social housing remediation.