UK: Rayner frustrated by slow cladding removal

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner is not happy with the slow progress in the removal of unsafe cladding from at-risk buildings across England. She has vowed to meet with building safety regulators to expedite the process.

The housing secretary made these remarks during a visit to Dagenham, east London, just a day after a devastating fire ripped through a block of flats undergoing remedial works to remove “non-compliant cladding”. The blaze led to the evacuation of more than 100 people from the eight-storey building, with two individuals being hospitalized. However, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) later confirmed that the fire was under control and all residents were safe.

Angela Rayner commended the fact that no fatalities occurred in the fire, which happened just a week before the final report of the Grenfell Tower inquiry is set to be released. She expressed her concern over the pace of remediation work, stating that out of 4,630 identified buildings with hazardous cladding, only over 50% have initiated remedial actions. She stressed the need to accelerate the process.

Rayner told reporters while engaging with residents in the area, “We need to hurry it up. I am meeting with the Building Safety Regulator and the Health and Safety Executive to emphasize the need for prompt action to ensure the removal of dangerous cladding.”

London fire commissioner Andy Roe highlighted that around 1,300 buildings in London urgently require remediation work. Andrew Leslie, CEO of The Association for Project Safety (APS), commented on the incident, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the safety of buildings lies with owners, designers, and contractors. It is their duty to guarantee safe construction practices and prioritize the well-being of occupants.