Joshua wasn't killed by a lack of
legislation. We already have housing,
building safety and health and safety
laws. The issue is that the legal
framework is fragmented.
Different duties apply depending on the
building, tenure, regulator and
circumstances.
My proposal isn't about blaming the
housing sector. I know it's under a lot
of pressure and I totally appreciate that.
It's about asking whether the current
framework gives enough assurance that
life-critical structures remain safe
throughout their lifetime.
A railing can look perfectly sound, but
still fail. Visual inspections, painting,
routine maintenance do not necessarily
demonstrate structural integrity.
We have robust inspection regimes for
lifts, fire safety systems and gas safety.
Yet currently there is no equivalent
universal statutory duty requiring
ongoing structural verification of
residential fall-protection systems.
And this is where we come in. No More
Falls is asking for The Joshua Test. It
is not a one-size-fits-all approach.
It proposes a proportionate, risk-based
framework that reflects the building's
age, design, materials, environmental
exposure and maintenance history.
The Joshua Test does not prescribe a
single engineering methodology. Industry
experts should determine the most
appropriate technical standards.
The Joshua principle is simple. If a
structure exists to prevent a fatal fall,
the responsible person should be able to
demonstrate that it still performs that
function. This isn't about creating
bureaucracy. It's about creating evidence-based
assurance
and giving landlords, residents and
regulators confidence that critical
safety systems remain fit for purpose.
And I would love to say that good landlords are
already doing much of this. The Joshua
Test aims to create consistency across
the sector within the UK,
so that residents are not afforded
different levels of protection depending
on where they live within the UK.
I'm not asking that the industry accept
my conclusions. I'm asking housing
professionals, the Secretary of State for
Housing,
engineers, policymakers to help co-design
and shape a practical, workable standard
that improves safety for everyone.
Ultimately, this is about prevention. If
we can identify deterioration before a
catastrophic failure occurs,
it's that simple. We can save lives. I'm
not asking whether someone has complied
with yesterday's standards.
I'm asking whether we can demonstrate
that today's life-critical structures are
still capable of saving a life tomorrow.
Joshua deserves that. He didn't get that,
but his memory lives on through this
legacy.
Be part of the movement for a safer
housing system. Join No More Falls.
And co-design an amazing future for those
living at home.