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Sadiq Khan has told housing secretary Robert Jenrick that he is “deeply disappointed” by the government’s failure to respond to a letter sent before Christmas urging action on building safety.
The London mayor wrote to Mr Jenrick on 23 December asking ministers to act on six areas relating to fire safety.
The letter, signed by members of the Homes for Londoners board, including two housing association chief executives, requested the government to expand its cladding remediation funds to all types of unsafe cladding and give residents “realistic” timescales for the work.
It also asked that the government’s building safety advice notes be clarified and consolidated, and for ministers to “move away from strict interpretations” of the 18-metre threshold for cladding remediation and regulations – which Mr Jenrick did in late January.
However, no steps have been taken on extra cladding remediation funding or deadlines, there’s also been no extra cash for councils to collect data on buildings in their areas or a review of how the government’s Leasehold Advisory Service could support leaseholders affected by the crisis as requested by Homes for Londoners.
Members of the Homes for Londoners board include Mr Khan; Helen Evans, chief executive of Network Homes and chair of the G15 group of large London housing associations; and Darren Rodwell, leader of Barking & Dagenham Council and executive member for housing at London Councils.
In a follow-up letter sent by Mr Khan to Mr Jenrick today, and seen by Inside Housing, the mayor requested “an urgent response”.
“It is vital that the housing sector works together to address the challenges which have arisen following the tragedy at Grenfell Tower,” the letter said.
“I am deeply disappointed that, two months on, we have not had a response to this letter, despite the urgency and seriousness of the matter and that fact that you have repeatedly stated that a building safety system that people can trust is a government priority [sic].
“I will continue to prioritise building safety and strive to deliver the cladding remediation funds swiftly and effectively.
“I urge the government to demonstrate they are doing the same, by engaging constructively with the points raised in the letter.”
The letter was also sent to minister for London Paul Scully and Sir Edward Lister, chief strategic advisor to prime minister Boris Johnson.
Inside Housing has contacted the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for a response.
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