Commenting on the publication of the Building Safety Bill, Lesley Rudd, Chief Executive of Electrical Safety First commented “We are extremely disappointed with this Bill, which, as it stands, fails to introduce mandatory electrical safety checks in high-rise buildings. This is a missed opportunity to better protect residents from electrical danger. Less than two months ago a tower block in East London was badly damaged and residents forced to flee after a fire originated from within a consumer unit.
High-rise living presents unique and often increased risks and the Government’s Bill should reflect this. Many high-rise tower blocks consist of privately rented, social and owner occupied flats and as such, without mandatory electrical safety checks for all of the flats within a block, safety remains a lottery based on tenure.”