Laura Sharman 27 May 2020

Launch of £1bn building safety fund

The Government has outlined the details of its £1bn building safety fund.

The fund, which will accept applications from next week, will cover the cost of removing dangerous cladding from high-rise residential buildings.

It will pay for the removal of unsafe non-ACM cladding on buildings that are 18 metres and over and do not comply with building regulations.

The Government has also confirmed that sprinkler systems will now be mandatory in all new high-rise blocks over 11 metres tall.

Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, said: 'I will not accept any excuses from building owners who have yet to take action and those responsible should register for the fund so that they can start the remediation process immediately. I have also reached an agreement with local leaders so that this important work can continue safely during the pandemic.

'New statutory guidance published today also means that all new residential buildings over 11 metres tall will be fitted with sprinkler systems. This is another critical part of our commitment to delivering the biggest changes to building safety for a generation.'

The Greater Manchester High Rise Task Force warned last week that the fund would not be enough to make all buildings safe.

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