Thank you, convener. I am not sure whether I will be able to tell you anything clearly today, because I have been out in the garden and my hay fever is playing up a little. I apologise for any hoarseness.
Thank you for the invitation to attend the committee to update you on the progress of the Scottish Government’s important work on buildings and fire safety. I will provide an update on where we are.
The pandemic has, of course, had a profound impact on the work of Parliament, Government and stakeholders. Like others, the Government rapidly and significantly reshaped our resources to deal with the pandemic, initially through the lockdown and now through our framework for coming out of it. I have worked closely with the construction industry to enable a safe restart and to develop a recovery plan, which was published last week.
I have instructed officials to bring together a fire safety review panel to examine how we can ban the highest-risk cladding materials from taller buildings and to look again at the role of BS 8414. The working group will be made up of appropriate experts and will use the most up-to-date evidence available to provide me with recommendations for further changes to building standards.
In March, I set up a technical working group to oversee the development of advice on external wall systems. The draft Scottish advice note is now out for consultation. To gain feedback, my officials are engaging with key organisations, and there are public webinars in which anyone can join the discussion.
The committee will remember that we introduced changes to building standards in October last year to make buildings in Scotland even safer. Further measures will be introduced early next year. Sprinklers will be required in all new social houses, all new flats and some new multi-occupancy homes.
I know that the committee will want to concentrate on cladding issues today. I make it clear that I remain very concerned about continuing issues in relation to mortgage lending and the difficulties that some people have experienced in selling their properties. I do not underestimate the personal impact on people and their families, and I understand the stress and anxiety that that will be causing.
The ministerial working group on mortgage lending and cladding was established earlier this year as a route to examine how Government and key stakeholders could examine solutions to those issues. The committee will understand the complexity and the varying interests involved—personal, professional, commercial and public—in finding resolution. Members are also very aware that not all the levers are in the hands of the Scottish Parliament.
The ministerial working group met on 28 April, and a full and frank discussion of all the issues took place. The outcome was the setting up of four sub-groups led by stakeholders to look at different stages in the process: obtaining the external wall system 1 form, using the report and the process after the form is completed, and the long-term approach and legislative needs. The group will meet again later this month to consider proposed work plans and timescales for the various groups.
My priorities through the working group are to be clear about the extent of the problem that needs to be solved, to get clarity on what is a moving situation, and to develop practical solutions. As I said, the group will meet again later this month to consider all those workstreams and to set timescales.
It is clear that no single body can solve the problem. We need all others to play their part and to act in line with their responsibilities. There is real willingness among those who are represented on the working group to come together on solutions, and we need to work towards agreement on what is needed from lenders and insurers for greater transparency for all. I want the working group to focus on that very quickly.
Finally, I remain concerned by the United Kingdom secretary of state’s lack of engagement on the matter. As the committee will remember, I have written a number of times to ask to work together to resolve the issue, and I have had only a minimal response. It is clear that we must take cognisance of the complexity of devolved and reserved issues and that there must be a joint response. I hope that we will see co-operation from the secretary of state.
I am happy to take questions from the committee.