Vital building safety work to replace unsafe cladding on high-rise buildings that had ‘significantly slowed down’ as a result of the coronavirus pandemic will resume, it has been announced.

Those working on site will follow social distancing rules and be supported to work safely.

Housing secretary Robert Jenrick said: ‘I have been deeply concerned that vital building safety work has significantly slowed down as a result of the pandemic.

'I have been clear that work must resume to ensure the safety of residents living in buildings with unsafe cladding or with insufficient fire safety measures, and it is entirely possible for this work to be done safely within health guidelines.’

Chair of London Councils, Cllr Peter John, added: ‘We cannot allow the unprecedented challenge that we have all faced with COVID-19 as an excuse to forget the challenge of making our buildings fire-safe across London and the UK.’