The Welsh government is “actively exploring funding options” for cladding removal and other building safety work in a bid to protect leaseholders from remediation costs.
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In a statement published today, Welsh housing minister Julie James said the government is currently “considering funding models” to pay for remediation work, but warned that whatever option it pursued would “not likely to result in a completely satisfactory result for all”.
Responding to a question from Inside Housing, the Welsh government said it was not yet making a commitment that leaseholders will not have to pay for works.
Ministers are also considering what types of defects any funding should cover, Ms James’ statement added.
She said she wanted funding to pay for “defects such as compartmentation and more proactive measures such as the installation of sprinklers” in addition to the removal of cladding.
This differs from the approach taken by the UK government in England, where the Building Safety Fund only applies to cladding work.
Ms James said she was working with her counterparts in the UK governments and other devolved administrations to find a solution.
She added: “I am keen that as UK governments we explore every available avenue to ensure that those best able to address the issues meet their responsibilities.”
The Welsh government is currently in the process of reforming its approach to building safety and plans to publish a White Paper early next year.
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