The Government has released the first £248m of a fund to pay for the removal and replacement of unsafe cladding from high-rise tower blocks.
Prime minister Theresa May announced a £400m fund earlier this year to enable councils and housing associations to make their properties safe following the Grenfell disaster.
The ministry of housing, communities and local government said applications had been received for 159 buildings and 135 – from 12 councils and 31 housing associations – have now been approved.
Under the scheme 80% of the estimated costs will be provided upfront to ensure work can start without delay.
The work will be closely monitored and the remaining 20% will paid once work is complete and the final costs are known.
The ministry says the latest figures show more than 75% of social housing buildings with unsafe aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding are currently removing and replacing it, with plans in place for the remaining 25%.
It says interim fire safety measures are in place in all affected buildings to keep residents safe until the cladding has been replaced.
