In a bold move to address the lingering aftermath of the tragic Grenfell Tower fire, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has announced an ambitious plan to fix dangerous cladding on all high-rise buildings in government-funded schemes across England by the end of 2029. The accelerated remediation plan, unveiled seven years after the devastating blaze claimed 72 lives, promises severe penalties for uncooperative freeholders.
Rayner’s announcement comes as a wake-up call to those responsible for ensuring the safety of residents in affected buildings. Under the new plan, buildings 18 meters and taller will face strict deadlines for commencing remedial works, with hefty fines awaiting landlords who fail to comply. By the close of 2029, every building 11 meters and above with unsafe cladding must either be fixed or have a concrete completion date in place.
Government Sets First Target Date for Cladding Remediation
The Deputy PM’s announcement marks the first time a firm target date has been set for making these buildings safe, a fact that has not gone unnoticed by critics. The End Our Cladding Scandal campaign coalition, while acknowledging the government’s intent, expressed disappointment that the plan falls short of the meaningful change promised during Labour’s time in opposition.
“More than seven years on from the Grenfell tragedy, thousands of people have been left living in homes across this country with dangerous cladding. The pace of remediation has been far too slow for far too long. We are taking decisive action to right this wrong and make homes safe,” Rayner declared.
– Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister
Plan Tackles Slow Pace of Remediation
The government’s remediation acceleration plan follows a series of strongly-worded letters from Rayner to organizations responsible for fixing unsafe residential buildings. The letters set out new deadlines for starting works and made it clear that inaction would no longer be tolerated.
Engagement with key stakeholders, including mayors, local enforcement agencies, and developers, has been ongoing since July in an effort to address the sluggish pace of repairs. The joint action plan aims to identify all unsafe buildings, expedite fixes, and protect residents from bearing the financial burden of remediation.
Thousands of Buildings Still at Risk
Government figures reveal the scale of the challenge ahead, with only 30% of identified at-risk buildings in England remediated thus far. Potentially thousands more unsafe structures have yet to be identified, leaving residents living in fear and facing higher insurance premiums, service charges, and the inability to sell their homes.
“It’s not really going to make much of a difference on the ground, it’s just making an already complicated approach even more complicated. And to be honest, at this stage, it all feels a bit performative, really,” remarked Giles Grover from the End Our Cladding Scandal campaign.
– Giles Grover, End Our Cladding Scandal campaign
Critics Call for Comprehensive Approach
While the government touts its plan as a significant step forward, critics argue that it falls short of the comprehensive solution needed. They point to the absence of oversight, the complexity of multiple funding schemes, and the plan’s vagueness as evidence that it may not deliver the promised results.
Grover and others have called for the creation of a government-funded building works agency, as proposed by Labour in 2021, to streamline the process of identifying necessary repairs, commissioning works, and covering costs. They also highlight the plight of residents in buildings under 11 meters tall and leaseholders who do not qualify for financial protection.
Grenfell Inquiry Findings Fuel Urgency
The government’s announcement comes on the same day as a parliamentary debate on the findings of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s final report. Released in September, the report laid bare decades of government failings and the “systematic dishonesty” of companies that contributed to the tragedy.
As MPs prepare to discuss the inquiry’s conclusions, the Deputy PM’s plan serves as a reminder of the urgent need for action to prevent future disasters and ensure the safety of residents in high-rise buildings across England. While questions remain about the efficacy of the proposed measures, the government’s renewed focus on the issue offers a glimmer of hope to those who have long awaited justice and peace of mind.
Only time will tell if the government’s remediation acceleration plan will live up to its ambitious goals, or if it will join the list of half-measures and broken promises that have characterized the response to the Grenfell tragedy. For the sake of the thousands of residents still living in the shadow of unsafe cladding, one can only hope that this time will be different.
