The Government has committed £220m of funding to replace the unsafe Aluminium-Composite Cladding used on many private high-rise buildings.
Around 170 buildings will be affected with the Government acting where building owners have failed to do so. However, the funding is conditional and as a condition of funding, the Government will require the building owner to take reasonable steps to recover the costs from those responsible for the presence of the unsafe cladding.
Prime Minister, Theresa May said:
It is of paramount importance that everybody is able to feel and be safe in their homes.
That’s why we asked building owners in the private sector to take action and make sure appropriate safety measures were in place.
And we’ve seen a number of private building owners doing the right thing and taking responsibility, but unfortunately too many are continuing to pass on the costs of removal and replacement to leaseholders.
Today I can confirm we will now be fully funding the replacement of cladding on high-rise private residential buildings so residents can feel confident they are secure in their homes.
Communities Secretary, Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP, said:
Although temporary measures are in place to ensure people living in these buildings are safe, too many owners are treating this as a permanent fix. Others are trying to pass on the costs to residents by threatening them with bills running to thousands of pounds.
While some building owners have been swift to act, and I thank them for doing the right thing, I am now calling time on the delay tactics of others. If these reckless building owners won’t act, the government will.