Rushanara Ali MP statement on cladding
“The Government’s lack of urgency in dealing with the issue of cladding on social and private housing blocks is extremely worrying. In the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the Government established a Building Safety Programme to ensure that residents of high-rise residential buildings are safe. Yet three years on, the Government has missed its target for removing dangerous Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding. Instead of taking responsibility, they have instead sought to pass on the cost of removal to leaseholders. This has led to 4.6 million people being trapped in unsafe buildings unable to sell their property. I have campaigned for over three years on this issue. In April 2019, I challenged the Chancellor to commit to financing the removal of ACM cladding which you can watch here. Continuing this pressure on funding, in February last year, I took part in a Westminster Hall debate which can be viewed here. And in July last year, I secured a well-attended Adjournment Debate in the House of Commons which you can watch here.
As costs begin to escalate for leaseholders, it is time the Government got a grip and ended this scandal. I fully support the two Labour amendments to the Fire Safety Bill, which have three aims. Firstly, to urgently establish the extent of dangerous cladding and prioritise buildings according to risk. Secondly, to ensure upfront funding so cladding remediation can start immediately. Thirdly, to protect leaseholders and taxpayers from the cost by pursuing those responsible for the cladding crisis. I will also be supporting the McPartland and Smith Amendment as it provides clarity on the specific costs that would be prevented from being passed on to leaseholders. However, this amendment alone does not provide the necessary detail, including crucially, how the balance of payments should be split between the responsible parties. I am also pleased that Labour will be holding an Opposition Day debate on this issue to maintain pressure on the Government.
The Grenfell Tower fire was a manmade disaster, the residents’ concerns, just like leaseholders today, were routinely ignored.”
ENDS