Breaking news
Backlash over ’18-metre rule’ to qualify for cladding cash as civil servant admits officials ‘didn’t have time to pick a better number’ Safety expert Brian Martin said ‘whole bunch of ridiculous things’ had been used Hundreds of thousands of leaseholders are barred from government funds It means those living in low rise buildings could face … Read more
Boss of Grenfell Tower cladding supplier admits firm told ‘misleading half truth’ by failing to reveal how one of its products failed fire safety test Arconic’s Reynobond PE cladding came in two variants – ‘cassette’ and ‘rivet’ ‘Cassette’ panels failed a ‘disastrous’ fire test, but certifiers were not informed It was later installed on Grenfell … Read more
Phillip Symes The retired sailor is facing a bill of £40,000 to replace cladding on his block at The Decks – half what he paid for his two-bed flat. Mr Symes, 71, said: ‘Fire is fire, however high the block is. ‘Leaseholders on the fifth floor of blocks like mine are not getting any support, … Read more
Phillip Symes The retired sailor is facing a bill of £40,000 to replace cladding on his block at The Decks – half what he paid for his two-bed flat. Mr Symes, 71, said: ‘Fire is fire, however high the block is. ‘Leaseholders on the fifth floor of blocks like mine are not getting any support, … Read more
Clean up: Persimmon’s chairman Roger Devlin By ROGER DEVLIN PERSIMMON CHAIRMAN We have all been concerned to read of innocent leaseholders facing huge bills for safety measures, insurance rises and the cost of repairs to remove now-banned cladding. There are also examples of the issue broadening to affect the ability of many to sell their … Read more
A cladding sales manger whose firm sold highly combustible cladding used at Grenfell Tower has told an inquiry that she has never heard of the fatal Lakanal House fire. Deborah French, a former UK sales manager for US firm Arconic, told the Grenfell Tower inquiry she was unaware of the 2009 fire in south London. Six … Read more
Housing Minister Robert Jenrick was accused of a ‘betrayal of homeowners’ tonight as he confirmed they will get billions of pounds of taxpayers cash to replace dangerous cladding – but only if they live in the tallest buildings. The cabinet minister unveiled the long-awaited £5billion scheme for victims of the cladding scandal that emerged in the … Read more
Long-awaited help for victims of the cladding scandal will be announced by the Government today. Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick will pledge state assistance for many of those hit with huge costs to repair their fire-risk homes. Whitehall sources say under the plan no leaseholders in buildings above 18 metres or six storeys will have to … Read more
Fresh hope for victims of the cladding scandal as it emerges their insurance claims could be paid by the state Insurance premiums have soared by £1.6billion for those living in unsafe homes Those without buildings insurance risk their homes being repossessed Homeowners living in fire-trap flats could have insurance claims paid by state By Miles … Read more
Cladding victims hailed a major breakthrough last night – after Barratt became the first housebuilder to back calls for a developer levy to help pay for the crisis. The construction giant acknowledged that the industry had a ‘collective responsibility’ to cover the costs of the scandal, which has left leaseholders facing average bills of £40,000 … Read more