William Eichler 20 March 2025

Government ‘complacent’ over cladding capacity issue

Government ‘complacent’ over cladding capacity issue  image
Image: Iordanis / Shutterstock.com.

The Government ‘appears complacent’ about the fact that there is insufficient capacity and skills across local government to address the dangerous cladding crisis, MPs have warned.

In a report published today, the Public Accounts Commission (PAC) says the Government still does not know how many buildings have dangerous cladding eight years after the Grenfell fire.

It also revealed the Government did not know how much full remediation will cost or how long it will take.

Last December the Government set out its plan to complete remediation on all buildings over 18m, with a completion date for all buildings over 11m, by 2029.

In February, it also published its response to the Grenfell inquiry, promising a ‘sweeping transformation to enhance building and fire safety standards.’

However, campaigners told the PAC that the plan is ‘insufficiently ambitious’ and ‘at risk of not delivering what is promised.’

There are potentially 7,000 unsafe buildings that are yet to be identified, and Government has yet to find a way to secure financial contributions from manufacturers of dangerous cladding, according to the PAC report.

Commenting on the report, Cllr Adam Hug, Housing spokesperson for the Local Government Association, said the cladding crisis was a major issue that ‘requires significant funding and resource to address properly.’

‘The upcoming Spending Review is the moment to ensure that local government has sufficient resources to carry out this work and keep people safe,’ he added.

Read Mo Baines, chief executive of the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE), on the 'catastrophic system failure' that led to the Grenfell tragedy.

A Government spokesperson said: 'This government has been taking tough and decisive action after years of dither and delay, going further than ever before to speed up the unacceptably slow pace of remediation and provide an end in sight for residents who have suffered for too long.

'We continue to work closely with industry, local authorities, and residents to accelerate remediation efforts while ensuring those responsible for unsafe buildings cover the costs, with new penalties and criminal sanctions on building owners who refuse to take action.'

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know image

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know

Councils and mayors are to be handed a central role in developing skills pipelines for local industries, as the Government unveils what it calls a ‘fundamental change’ to the education system aimed at tackling youth unemployment. Here's what council leaders and officers need to know.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Building Compliance & Reactive Works Manager

East Devon District Council
£36,363 - £42,839
We have an exciting opportunity for a Building Compliance & Reactive Works Manager to join our Buildings and Facilities Management Team. Devon
Recuriter: East Devon District Council

Programme Director – Local Government Reorganisation

Staffordshire County Council
£Competitive
Lead one of the most significant local government transformation programmes in England! Staffordshire / Stoke on Trent
Recuriter: Staffordshire County Council

Executive Director – Place and Prosperity

South Derbyshire District Council
£106,484 up to £115,687 plus an essential car user allowance is also paid.
We are seeking an exceptional Executive Director to help shape the future of South Derbyshire at a pivotal moment in its history. Swadlincote, Derbyshire / Agile
Recuriter: South Derbyshire District Council

Music Centre Instructor

North Yorkshire Council
£22,601 to £35,259
Skipton Music Centre is a lively Saturday morning centre, providing musical learning for children and adults across a range of instruments and genres. Skipton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Wellbeing and Personal Development Lead

North Yorkshire Council
£38,220 to £42,839 per annum
Help Transform Lives Through Wellbeing, Personal Development and Inclusion North Yorkshire / countywide
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner