‘No rest until every Londoner safe’ says London Councils on Grenfell Tower anniversary

London Councils has reaffirmed its commitment to campaign for fire safety and the removal of cladding on the fifth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire.

72 people were killed after an initial electrical fire from a fridge-freezer quickly turned into an uncontrollable blaze due to the highly flammable cladding covering the building.

Five years on from the tragedy the Grenfell Tower Inquiry is still ongoing and dangerous cladding is still covering high-rise buildings across the country.

Cllr Darren Rodwell, London Councils’ Executive Member for Regeneration, Housing & Planning, said: ‘The fifth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire is a time of sad reflection as we remember the lives lost and families torn apart that night.

‘Five years on, no one should still be living in a building with dangerous cladding. Yet there are still too many buildings across the capital requiring fire safety works because of cladding or other issues, and too many Londoners stuck in limbo while arguments rage over how these works should be paid for.

‘Boroughs continue to push for improvements to the national fire safety regime. Although progress has been made, there can be no rest until we know every Londoner is safe – and feels safe – in their home.’

Housing Secretary Michael Gove has promised leaseholders in buildings over 11 metres high they will not need to pay to remove cladding.

In April, the government announced major housing developers would need to commit a minimum of £2bn to fix developments they were involved in.

The Building Safety Levy has also seen the construction industry agree to pay £3bn over 10 years to remedy residential buildings affected.

However, leaseholders still face paying thousands for other safety measures, such as sprinklers and fire doors.

There also remains confusion as to whether leaseholders of buildings below 11 metres will have to cover costs to remove cladding.

London Councils says it supports the government’s moves to get the building industry to pay for repairs required but is concerned about delays in removing cladding from buildings across the city.

The organisation is seeking government support in implementing measures of the new Building Safety Act passed in April.

Featured photo by C R

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