Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed a pledge by the Housing Minister that the Scottish Government will continue to strengthen fire safety measures in Scotland’s high rise buildings.
On the third anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire, Housing Minister, Kevin Stewart reiterated the Scottish Government’s commitment to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.
A Ministerial Working Group to oversee a review of building and fire safety regulations and make any necessary improvements was set up immediately following the Grenfell Tower fire in 2018.
New regulations to make Scotland’s high-rise buildings even safer were introduced on 1 October 2019 and a commitment was given to introduce mandatory requirements to install sprinkler systems in all new build flats, certain multi-occupancy dwellings and social housing from 2021.
The SNP MSP said: “My thoughts are with the 72 people who lost their lives three years ago, and those who mourn their passing. The tragedy at Grenfell Tower was caused as a result of unacceptably poor building safety measures. It was a needless loss of life and should never be allowed to affect another community.
“People need to have assurances that the materials used to build their homes are suitable and underpinned with robust fire safety regulations. I’m glad that the Scottish Government are showing commitment to make buildings safer for residents.”
Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “Any new information that comes to light as a result of the inquiries into the Grenfell Tower fire will be reviewed so we can take any further measures necessary. We will also continue to work with local authorities, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and other partners to ensure we do all we can to keep people safe in their homes.
“Everyone who lives in a high rise building must have confidence in the fabric and safety systems of their homes and be assured there will be an effective response should a fire break out.”
- a Ministerial Working Group to oversee a review of building and fire safety regulatory frameworks and to drive any necessary improvements was set up immediately following the Grenfell Tower fire
- since then a range of actions have been undertaken in order to help make Scotland’s high rise buildings even safer including implementing the recommendations from the reviews of fire safety and of compliance and enforcement in Building Standards, following public consultation
- new regulations to make Scotland’s high-rise buildings even safer were introduced on 1 October 2019
- a commitment was given to introduce a mandatory requirement to install sprinkler systems in all new build flats, certain multi-occupancy dwellings and social housing from 2021
Ruth Maguire MSP 