BASINGSTOKE's MP will announce a new Bill in Parliament today over fire safety following on from the Grenfell Tower tragedy last year.

Maria Miller is set to announce the new Bill to ensure residents of high rise buildings are provided with more information about fire safety in their homes.

The Ten Minute Rule Bill, called the Fire Safety Information Bill, will require a “responsible person”, such as a managing agent, to hold an annual fire safety information meeting for residents, including making available to them the fire risk assessment for the building and addressing any fire safety concerns.

The Bill has gained cross-party support.

Maria said: “Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy I made enquiries about high rise residential buildings in Basingstoke, both in respect of physical safety and also about residents’ concerns.

"While many of the physical safety issues are technically complex and are being looked at by the independent review currently underway, it became clear that many residents did not feel they had enough information about the safety of their homes, and felt that the building owners and managers were not always transparent about risks highlighted in the fire risk assessment.

“This Bill should go some way towards addressing residents’ concerns about the lack of information and transparency.”