Mansfield MP Ben Bradley hosted a reception at the Houses of Parliament for the launch of pioneering guidance to improve electrical safety in social housing.

The Electrical Safety Roundtable (ESR), whose head office is in Mansfield, brought together more than 25 social housing providers to develop a new code of practice for improving electrical safety in social housing, in response to complaints that there was no formal guidance available.

During the event in Parliament, a new document was discussed that sets out how often the electrical system in social housing properties should be inspected, who should carry out the inspections, and how social housing providers should arrange to gain access to properties.

Around 25% of all social housing properties currently do not have the Government’s recommend five safety features installed.

Ben was keen to hear more about the positive impact that the guidance will have on more than 8,000 Mansfield households living in social rented properties.

The launch event was sponsored by Pleasley-based NAPIT, a leading Government approved and UKAS accredited certification body dedicated to promoting electrical safety.

Ben said: “It was good to see local employers here in Westminster and making waves in their sector. It was brilliant to be able to support their work.”

Ben is pictured with Chris Bielby, chairman of the roundtable; Mike Andrews, of NAPIT; and Ryan Dempsey, chairman of the Electrical Safety Roundtable Social Housing Sub-Group.

The ESR has released a leaflet to alert tenants to the dangers of electricity and the importance of regular electrical inspections, together with a short summary document outlining the key recommendations of the code of practice. Go to www.electricalsafetyroundtable.co.uk