The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has welcomed the return of the Fire Safety Bill to the House of Lords.

NFCC Chair Roy Wilsher said: “The Fire Safety Bill is a short bill, but an important one that we welcome. The Bill itself provides an important clarification that the structure and external walls of the building, including cladding, balconies and windows; and entrance doors to individual flats that open into common parts are parts of the premises to which the Fire Safety Order applies.

“We have been clear that remediation of historic defects is important, although we don’t believe the costs of these building defects should end with leaseholders.

“Whilst it is absolutely right that discussions over costs continue, we do want to see the Fire Safety Bill complete its passage through Parliament as quickly as possible as this will pave the way for the introduction of the Building Safety Bill, which implements key Grenfell Tower recommendations.”