Government updates Remediation Acceleration Plan – July 2025

On 17 July 2025, the Government published an update to its Remediation Acceleration Plan (RAP), which we first covered following its launch in December 2024 here. The RAP is designed to speed up the identification and remediation of unsafe cladding on high-rise residential buildings (HRBs) in England. This update reaffirms this objective and outlines new measures intended to overcome persistent barriers to progress.

When the RAP was first introduced, the Government committed to provide an update on progress towards three core goals:

1. Fix buildings faster to ensure residents’ safety;
2. Identify all residential buildings over 11 metres with unsafe cladding; and
3. Support residents and leaseholders throughout the remediation process.

The recent update provides three developments: proposed legislation, new government investment and intervention measures, and a reaffirmation of the Building Safety Level (BSL).

1. Proposed new legislation: the Remediation Bill

The Government is bringing forward the new Remediation Bill, aimed at holding responsible parties to account for fixing unsafe cladding and accelerating the pace of remediation. The key features of the proposed legislation include:

• A legal duty imposed on landlords to remediate unsafe cladding on buildings over 11 metres in height by a certain timescale; and
• Enforceable deadlines for the legal duty:
• Buildings 18m and taller must be remediated by end of 2029; and
• Buildings between 11m and 18m must be completed by end of 2031.

A failure to comply with the legal duty, without reasonable excuse, could result in unlimited fines or imprisonment.

To address delays caused by limited regulatory capacity, developer disputes, and workforce shortages, the Bill will also empower named bodies (such as Homes England and local authorities) to step in and carry out remediation works where landlords fail to act.

The Bill also proposes that obstructing remediation or access to buildings over 11 metres in height will be made a criminal offence, targeting parties that unreasonably delay progress due to access disputes, contract issues, or scope disagreements.

The proposed legislation’s timeline remains unclear, with Parliament now in recess (22 July–1 September), and no further announcements expected during this period.

2. Increased government investment and local support

The RAP update includes over £1 billion in new government funding, backing a new joint plan for accelerating social housing remediation. This funding aims to:

• Provide equal access for social landlords to the same funding mechanisms available to private building owners; and
• Improve the experience for tenants before, during, and after remedial works.

For the first time, government funding will be made available to support remediation works on buildings under 11 metres in height, but only in exceptional cases where no alternative funding route exists. This is a potentially significant update for the industry, as it should lead to the expansion of the scope of remediation works.

The Government is also increasing support for Local Remedial Acceleration Plans, working alongside Mayoral Strategic Authorities and local regulators. An additional £5 million will be allocated to boost resources and coordination efforts to identify and remediate unsafe buildings more effectively.

3. Reaffirmation of the Building Safety Levy (BSL)

The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the Building Safety Levy (BSL), with regulations already laid before Parliament. The BSL (due to come into force in October 2026) is expected to raise £4.3 billion over the next decade to help finance building remediation.

Key features of the BSL include:

• Exemptions for affordable and supported housing; and
• Discounts for previously developed land.

For further details on the BSL, see our in-depth analysis here.

Outlook and Implications

The proposed legal duty to remediate, and the introduction of hard deadlines, are expected to drive momentum across the sector. However, these changes may also increase the number of Remediation Contribution Orders (RCOs) against developers, especially where building owners must proceed with works before liability is fully determined.

As regulatory pressure grows, more parties could find themselves drawn into legal disputes if they fail to meet their obligations. While the Government’s approach may result in faster remediation, it also risks heightening legal and financial tensions among stakeholders.

If you have any questions on this update, including how to alter your approach to remediation and avoid disputes following the Government’s update to the RAP, and how to ensure you are meeting your obligations, please contact the authors or your Beale & Co lawyer.