Welsh Building Safety Programme release spring updates

A number of updates on Building Safety in Wales have been published by the Welsh Building Safety Programme:

• The Programme has established a Leaseholder and Resident Group. The aim is to provide leaseholders and residents with an opportunity to share experiences, access support and inform national policy with regard to building safety in Wales.

  The first meeting is on 29 April 2025 – if you are interested in taking part, please book via: https://forms.office.com/e/5cNyy330Ka

• In 2022, the Welsh Government launched the Leaseholder Support Scheme to offer support to those leaseholders with significant financial concerns as a result of their properties being impacted by fire safety issues. Due to the lower-than-expected uptake, the service will be discontinued after June 2025. Leaseholders believing they could still be eligible for support should submit their applications as soon as possible via the Welsh Government website: https://www.gov.wales/leaseholder-support-scheme
  
  
• Latest Remediation Programme data: there are currently 448 buildings in the Welsh Building Safety Programme. 42% are either complete, or work is in progress; 50% are still in the planning stages and 8% either do not require remediation or have not yet had their remediation needs identified.
  
  
• Following November 2024 workshops with local authorities, the Building Safety (Wales) Bill remains on course to be introduced in summer 2025. The Programme states that the Bill will establish a robust and coherent regulatory system, holding those responsible to account, ensuring accurate, up-to-date information is held and maintained for all in-scope, multi-occupied residential buildings.
  
  
• Several provisions of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 have now come into force. In early March, the Cabinet Secretary updated the Welsh Government on Act implementations and plans for future reforms. The full update can be read here: https://www.gov.wales/written-statement-update-leasehold-reform
  
  
• A consultation covering a range of proposals on implementing the next phase of the Building Safety Act 2022 has been published. The Programme recommends that all members of the building control sector digest the consultation and offer a response, as the results will go towards informing the next stage of reforming building work across Wales. Find the consultation on the Welsh Government website: https://www.gov.wales/new-building-control-regime-higher-risk-buildings-and-wider-changes-building-regulations-wales

You can find out more about the Programme via gov.wales/housing, or get in touch by emailing buildingsafety@gov.wales