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.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Chief Executive

West Surrey Council
c.£235,000
In April 2027, West Surrey Council will become one of England's largest new unitary authorities Surrey
Recuriter: West Surrey Council

Performance & Information Assistant

Essex County Council
£26622 - £29787 per annum
Are you organised, detail-focused and confident working with data and information? We are looking for a proactive Performance and Information Assista England, Essex, Braintree
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Social Worker - Learning Disability & Autism

Essex County Council
£48205 - £57988 per annum + Flexible Working, Hybrid Working
About the TeamThis is an exciting opportunity for a passionate and experienced Social Worker to join an innovative and award-winning Learning Disabil England, Essex, Harlow
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Health and Safety Advisor

Durham County Council
£35,412 to £39,152 p.a. (Grade 9) pay award pending
An exciting opportunity has arisen within Health and Safety for a Health and Safety Advisor. This post is temporary to cover a period of maternity le Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Locality Delivery Manager (Foster with North East)

Durham County Council
Band 1 - £73,733 - £76, 063 per annum
This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced and ambitious senior leader to join the Foster with North East Senior Leadership Team and help t Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner