Housebuilders have hit out at the “vacuum” in information about the government’s second staircase policy as long-awaited technical guidance shows no sign of materialising.

The government has yet to publish guidance on the technical detail, design or specification of second staircases, which will be required in blocks over 18m in height. The guidance and updated regulations were widely expected to be published before Christmas but have yet to appear. A source close to DLUHC told Housing Today the regulations could take several more weeks to be published.