HM Treasury occupies accommodation at the Government Offices Great George Street, which is managed by the Government Property Agency (GPA). Decisions relating to the procurement of furniture for shared areas are a matter for the GPA.

The Government Property Agency (GPA) purchased heavy-duty outdoor furniture for the Government Offices Great George Street (GOGGS) in early 2026 at a cost of £440k excluding VAT. GOGGS is a Government office building that the GPA manages via two private finance initiative companies (Exchequer Partnership Plc and Exchequer Partnership No.2 Plc) through whom the furniture was purchased.

The list of furniture purchased was:

• 74 x External chairs

• 21 x Fixed picnic bench and table units

• 2 x Fixed seating bench units

• 36 x External tables (coffee and bistro style)

• 4 x Fixed weather shades

There is a growing concern about the health and environmental impacts of some chemical flame retardants, including tris(chloropropyl) phosphate. In June 2025, the Environment Agency published a scoping review of flame retardants relevant to the GB market. This year the Health and Safety Executive added several flame retardants to the UK REACH Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern, signalling their potential for further regulatory control.

There is a growing body of evidence to support action to reduce the volume of chemical flame retardants used to enable upholstered furniture to pass flammability tests set out in the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade recently ran a consultation on a set of policy proposals that aim to maintain a high level of fire safety, while meaningfully reducing the reliance on chemical flame retardants.

Following the 2023 consultation ‘Smarter Regulation: Fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture’, the Government engaged extensively with a wide range of stakeholders, including manufacturers and upholsterers to build our evidence base, including on the costs associated with chemical flame retardant use.

This engagement led to the consultation ‘Product regulation: fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture’ with amended proposals, including ending mandatory open-flame testing and moving to a smoulder-based test consistent with the approaches adopted internationally, and removing re-upholstery and repair from the scope of the regulations so that it is more proportionately regulated under the General Product Safety Regulations.

Following the 2023 consultation ‘Smarter Regulation: Fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture’, the Government engaged extensively with a wide range of stakeholders, including manufacturers and upholsterers to build our evidence base, including on the costs associated with chemical flame retardant use.

This engagement led to the consultation ‘Product regulation: fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture’ with amended proposals, including ending mandatory open-flame testing and moving to a smoulder-based test consistent with the approaches adopted internationally, and removing re-upholstery and repair from the scope of the regulations so that it is more proportionately regulated under the General Product Safety Regulations.

Furniture manufacturers must ensure they only place safe products on the UK market. Any chemical flame retardants used in furniture must comply with all relevant UK chemical regulations, including UK REACH.

While the evidence of negative health impacts from chemical flame retardants in furniture is limited, the Government recognises concern about their widespread use. The consultation ‘Product regulation: fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture’ proposes reforming the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, which set flammability requirements for upholstered furniture, to maintain a high level of fire safety while meaningfully reducing the use of chemical flame retardants.

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) outline specific duties on employers to protect workers from harmful substances, such as foams and flame retardants, which may be contained in soft furnishings such as mattresses and sofas. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides practical advice and guidance on the basics of COSHH, completing COSHH assessments and links to industry specific information and guidance to prevent and control workplace exposure to harmful substances at Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) - HSE.

Guidance which covers both the initial manufacture and any secondary processing of finished fabrics (such as upholstery) can be found here: https://www.hse.gov.uk/textiles/fabric-finishes.htm.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recognised the risks to textile workers who routinely handle finished fabrics, including those treated with fire-resistant finishes. HSE has produced a specific guidance page on its website which covers both the initial manufacture and any secondary processing of finished fabrics (such as upholstery). The guidance page can be found here: https://www.hse.gov.uk/textiles/fabric-finishes.htm.

It has been the practice of this and successive governments not to comment, on grounds of both national security and staff safety, on the physical capacity or staffing numbers for individual buildings of the government estate.

We will publish the guidance in due course.

GPA has spent money on outdoor furniture at GOGGS. This was not specifically for HM Treasury but for the benefit of all occupants of the building.

Like other government departments, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office conducts its procurement processes in line with public procurement regulations and the principles of proportional, transparent, fair, and non-discriminatory competition. This supports delivery of value for money for the UK taxpayer.

The government has no current plans to amend the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 to require the Regulator of Social Housing to set new standards in respect of furniture provision.

People living without essential furniture can access support through their local authority, including via the Crisis and Resilience Fund, to provide discretionary help with essential items such as furniture.

In 2025, the government consulted on proposals to reform the Decent Homes Standard for both the social and private rented sectors. As part of this, we sought views on how furniture provision could be addressed within best practice guidance.

Our response to the consultation was published in January 2026, confirming our commitment to issue guidance relating to furniture provision. The consultation response can be found on gov.uk here.

As we progress work in this area, my Department will continue to engage with a range of stakeholders including tenant organisations, charities and landlords who already provide essential items to tenants in need.

The government has no current plans to amend the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 to require the Regulator of Social Housing to set new standards in respect of furniture provision.

People living without essential furniture can access support through their local authority, including via the Crisis and Resilience Fund, to provide discretionary help with essential items such as furniture.

In 2025, the government consulted on proposals to reform the Decent Homes Standard for both the social and private rented sectors. As part of this, we sought views on how furniture provision could be addressed within best practice guidance.

Our response to the consultation was published in January 2026, confirming our commitment to issue guidance relating to furniture provision. The consultation response can be found on gov.uk here.

As we progress work in this area, my Department will continue to engage with a range of stakeholders including tenant organisations, charities and landlords who already provide essential items to tenants in need.

The consultation, Product regulation: fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture outlines the Government’s intention to remove second-hand domestic furniture from the scope of the reformed Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations, instead regulating those products under the General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR).

This was informed by extensive stakeholder engagement, which found current requirements are inconsistently applied and difficult to meet in practice, as testing is destructive and therefore not practical for second-hand goods. Evidence suggests second-hand furniture has not been associated with significant fire risk. Removing those products from scope represents a more proportionate approach, reducing burdens and supporting reuse.

In its consultation, Product regulation: fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture, the Government has taken an evidence-based approach, informed by extensive stakeholder engagement and the best available fire safety data. We have proposed to retain bespoke sector-specific regulations to maintain a high level of fire safety whilst meaningfully reducing reliance on chemical flame retardants and to ensure requirements remain robust and compliance is consistent.

We will set out a timeline for the development of new standards and the implementation of reforms in the Government Response in due course.

In its consultation, Product regulation: fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture, the Government has taken an evidence-based approach, informed by extensive stakeholder engagement and the best available fire safety data. We have proposed to retain bespoke sector-specific regulations to maintain a high level of fire safety whilst meaningfully reducing reliance on chemical flame retardants and to ensure requirements remain robust and compliance is consistent.

We will set out a timeline for the development of new standards and the implementation of reforms in the Government Response in due course.

HM Treasury has not spent money on outdoor furniture in the last 12 months. It does not have a PFI contract as it occupies space managed by the GPA.

People living without essential furniture can access support through their local authority, including via the Household Support Fund until 31 March, and from April, the Crisis and Resilience Fund, to provide discretionary help with essential items such as furniture.

In 2025, the government consulted on proposals to reform the Decent Homes Standard for both the social and private rented sectors. As part of this, we sought views on how furniture provision could be addressed within best practice guidance.

Our response to the consultation was published in January 2026, confirming our commitment to issue guidance relating to furniture provision. The consultation response can be found on gov.uk here.

As we progress work in this area, my Department will continue to engage with a range of stakeholders including tenant organisations, charities and landlords who already provide essential items to tenants in need.