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THE government’s “abject failure to take proper action” means that not a single private block has been made safe since May, shadow housing minister Sarah Jones said today.
Only 13 out of the 181 known private-sector blocks covered in Grenfell-style aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding have been made safe, according to government data.
None have been made safe since May 2019, despite four additional blocks, including one hotel and one public-owned building, being discovered with the dangerous material in the last month.
The Labour MP said: “More than two years after Grenfell, nine in 10 private blocks with Grenfell-style cladding still haven’t had it replaced.
“The government’s abject failure to take proper action means that not a single private block has been made safe since May.
“It beggars belief that the government is still discovering buildings covered in this material.
“People have been living for years in death-traps with no additional safety measures.”
Ms Jones urged ministers to adopt Labour’s plan to force private block owners to act in order to make homes safe.
Justice4Grenfell campaigner Yvette Williams told the Star that the issue of removing cladding and safety as a priority has been “really tardy.”
She said: “It’s really interesting that since Boris Johnson has become prime minister, he has failed to mention anything about Grenfell.
“For us, it is a clear example of institutional indifference. Our lives just do not matter to them.”
Ms Williams called out to “all decent” local authorities to “look after” their residents, make homes safe and put pressure on the government to do this as soon as possible.
“It should have been done yesterday,” she added.
FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said the government’s “abysmal record speaks for itself.”
He said: “While flammable cladding is removed from social housing at a snail’s pace, the number of private blocks at risk continues to climb.
“On the countless other fire safety failings endangering residents, we’ve still seen no concrete action. It’s one step forwards and two steps back with this government, just like the last. They should hang their heads in shame.”
