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26,500 flats still wrapped in Grenfell-style cladding

Towers containing 26,500 flats remain covered in unsafe, Grenfell-style cladding 21 months after the disaster, it has emerged.

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Picture: Getty
Picture: Getty
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26,500 high-rise flats still covered in Grenfell-style cladding #ukhousing

Housing minister Kit Malthouse said there are approximately 9,100 homes in the 119 social housing high rises that are still clad in aluminium composite material (ACM) and deemed unlikely to meet building regulations.

It is thought there are another 17,400 flats in privately-owned residential buildings taller than 18m that have not yet had their ACM cladding removed.

Mr Malthouse revealed the figures last week in response to a written question from Jo Stevens, Labour MP for Cardiff Central.

He said: “[The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government] estimates that there are approximately 9,100 dwellings in the remaining 119 high-rise (over 18 metres) social residential buildings in England with aluminium composite material cladding systems unlikely to meet building regulations.

“We estimate approximately 17,400 dwellings in the remaining 167 high-rise (over 18 metres) private residential buildings in England with combinations of aluminium composite material cladding and insulation unlikely to meet building regulations.”


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Figures released by the government since Mr Malthouse issued his response show that cladding has now been removed from another six buildings, meaning the number of currently affected flats is likely slightly lower.

Grenfell Tower’s ACM cladding has been identified by experts as the main reason fire was able to engulf the building in a blaze that killed 72 people.

Seventy-nine social and private residential buildings have had their ACM cladding removed since Grenfell, which leaves 354 with the cladding.

The figures come as a group of leaseholders in private blocks launch a co-ordinated national campaign to push for action to address the crisis.

Ministers have agreed to pay for the work on blocks owned by councils and housing associations, but not private building owners.

Theresa May said in January that some building owners were “refusing” to remove dangerous cladding.

Fire safety tests on non-ACM cladding are due to start this month. Mr Malthouse previously said that the government will seek a remediation programme if the materials are found to be as dangerous as ACM.

However, the bespoke tests will have no success or failure criteria.

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