Deputy PM Angela Rayner Demands Urgency in Cladding Removal Seven Years After Grenfell Tragedy

Angela Rayner has expressed criticism over the slow progress in removing dangerous cladding, seven years following the Grenfell Tower fire. Out of the 4,630 buildings flagged, only about half have begun the process to remove the cladding, and less than one-third of these projects have been completed.

Political correspondent @alixculbertson

Thursday, September 5, 2024, 9:

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The vice premier expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of removing hazardous cladding from structures in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

Angela Rayner, who holds the position of housing secretary, emphasized that following the release of the last part of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry on Wednesday, it is imperative that the government "speeds up the improvement process."

The investigation attributed the catastrophic fire that claimed 72 lives in a west London building in June 2017 to "systematic dishonesty" by cladding and insulation manufacturers, combined with prolonged shortcomings within the government and construction sectors.

Ms. Rayner spoke to Sky News on "Breakfast with Kay Burley," stating, "The breakdowns were widespread. Every level, from the regulators, to the suppliers of the materials, the government, the council, and the tenant management, failed to acknowledge and safeguard the residents of Grenfell."

"It's truly astonishing to witness that.

"It's crucial that the government speeds up the process of remediation."

"After reviewing it, I'm currently dissatisfied with the speed at which it's progressing."

Official statistics reveal that remediation efforts have not commenced on 50% of the 4,630 residential structures taller than 11 meters that were found to have hazardous cladding after the blaze.

Less than one-third of the buildings, totaling 1,350, have undergone remediation.

Ms. Rayner stated that the government will review the 58 suggestions outlined in the report and will "ensure that we do all that is possible to fulfill these recommendations, and even exceed them, so that the public feels reassured."

She noted: "It was quite apparent to me that safety had been sidelined in favor of greed and regulation.

"That's what requires alteration."

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The investigation, headed by Sir Martin Moore-Bick, revealed that the previous Conservative administration was fully cognizant of the lethal dangers associated with flammable cladding and insulation a year prior to the blaze, yet did not respond to its knowledge.

The report also revealed that government representatives from both the previous Labour and Conservative governments displayed a long-standing attitude of complacency, defensiveness, and disregard towards fire safety issues.

The report criticized their focus on reducing building regulations as part of a widespread reduction of bureaucracy, which had fatal outcomes.

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On Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak issued apologies for the British government's failures, acknowledging that ministers did not take necessary actions.

The Metropolitan Police have indicated that it will be a minimum of three years before any convictions could be secured in their ongoing investigation of the disaster.

Organizations representing the victims have demanded accountability, urging that those responsible be held accountable. However, the police force responded, stating, "We have only one opportunity to conduct our investigation correctly."

Ms. Rayner emphasized: "It's unacceptable for justice to be postponed, as this equates to justice being denied."

"The police intend to conduct their inquiries with utmost speed, and it's crucial that we back them in this endeavor."

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