Rayner Vows to Hasten Removal of Hazardous Cladding with New Plan

September 5, 2024 TruthUSA

The deputy prime minister stated that she could not provide a specific deadline for the removal of unsafe cladding.

Housing minister Angela Rayner has pledged to introduce a plan to expedite the removal of unsafe cladding from buildings after the release of the final Grenfell Tower fire report.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s “Today,” Rayner highlighted that the current pace of making identified buildings safe is too slow. As a result, she has instructed her department to develop a plan to accelerate the remediation process.

According to the latest government data on building safety remediation, there are 4,630 residential buildings in England that are 36ft or higher and have been identified as having unsafe cladding. Of these, only around half (2,299) have started or completed remediation works, and 29 percent (1,350) have completed the work.

Rayner, who also serves as the deputy prime minister, acknowledged the enactment of new laws and regulations since the Grenfell disaster in 2017. Over 400 legal notices and actions have been taken against building owners to expedite remediation efforts, but she emphasized the need for faster progress.

She mentioned that the plan to accelerate remediation will be unveiled in the autumn, but she could not provide a specific timeline for when the government will mandate the removal of cladding from those buildings.

The second and final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry was released on Wednesday, attributing the tragedy to decades of government and construction industry failures to address the hazards of flammable cladding, resulting in 72 avoidable deaths in the 2017 fire.

‘No Excuses’

Some buildings are owned by offshore entities, and Rayner is exploring ways for the government to hold them accountable to ensure the necessary work is done.

She emphasized that money should not hinder the safety of these buildings, mentioning the £5 billion government fund and the financial resources available to building owners.

Rayner reiterated that there are no excuses for delaying the work and highlighted the government’s efforts to identify and remediate buildings suspected of having dangerous cladding.

The campaign group End Our Cladding Scandal (EOCS) has urged the government to develop a comprehensive solution for all buildings, irrespective of height or defect type.

EOCS stated, “We need Labour to address the building safety crisis and assist all leaseholders and residents in moving forward with their lives.”

Grenfell Tower in west London, England, on Sept. 3, 2024. (Lucy North/PA Wire) — Grenfell Tower in west London, England, on Sept. 3, 2024. Lucy North/PA Wire

Justice

Rayner refrained from commenting on the possibility of individuals going to prison for their involvement in the failures that caused the Grenfell Tower tragedy, citing an ongoing legal investigation. She vowed to support the Metropolitan Police and the Crown Prosecution Service in expediting their findings and actions.

She stressed the importance of swift justice, acknowledging the sentiments of survivors and victims’ families that justice delayed is justice denied.

The Metropolitan Police clarified that their investigation operates independently under a different legal framework and will meticulously review the inquiry’s findings alongside their criminal investigation.

Charges may not be brought until close to 2027—10 years post-disaster.

The government will respond to the report within six months, with Rayner highlighting the extensive nature of the near-1,700-page document and the need to consult with various departments, regulators, and building safety authorities.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer issued an apology on behalf of the nation for the loss of lives seven years ago, pledging to bar companies implicated in the failings from receiving government contracts.

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