Housing association trade bodies have backed Michael Gove’s controversial plans to force housebuilders to pay into a fund for fire safety works.

The National Housing Federation and the G15 – which represents large housing associations in London- both welcomed proposed amendments to the Building Safety Bill this week designed to stop developers from operating if they don’t pay into the proposed £4bn fund. The move has been criticised as ‘disproportionate’ by the Home Builders Federation, which is taking legal advice.