Government announces ‘biggest changes to building safety in a generation’

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick MP has announced new measures to reform the building safety system with the biggest changes in a generation to ensure residents are safe in their homes. The measures, announced ton on 2 April 2020, include mandatory sprinkler systems and consistent wayfinding signage in all new […] Click here to view original…

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Government publishes Fire Safety Bill

Picture: Getty Sharelines The bill, introduced to parliament by the Home Office yesterday , amends the Fire Safety Order 2005 to “clarify” that the duty holder for blocks of flats must “manage and reduce the risk of fire” posed by building structure, external wall systems and entrance doors. Fire […] Click here to view original…

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The Budget shows the impact a strong campaigning voice can have on housing policy

Rishi Sunak’s Budget shows the impact that a strong campaigning voice can have on housing policy. But its gaps reveal that the campaigners shouldn’t hang up their placards just yet, argues Martin Hilditch Campaigners protesting outside the Houses of Parliament last month (picture: Lucie Heath) Sharelines This year’s Budget […] Click here to view original…

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What the Budget 2020 cladding announcement means:

Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Budget statement confirmed £1 billion of additional funding will be allocated to the removal of unsafe cladding from residential buildings taller than 18 metres, in a move that has been hailed as a “ray of light” for thousands of homeowners still living in potentially high-risk properties. […] Click here to view original…

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MPs launch inquiry into ‘slow progress’ replacing dangerous cladding

A parliamentary select committee has launched an inquiry into the removal of dangerous cladding from high-rise buildings The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee will scrutinise the pace of removals and level of government funding set aside to help. It will also look at the wider problems faced by […] Click here to view original…

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Inquiry launched to assess progress of cladding remediation

© Alex Danila The HCLG committee has launched an inquiry to review the government’s progress in removing potentially dangerous cladding from high-risk buildings, and the adequacy of funding by Government Following the Grenfell Tower fire , it was found that the use of a number of forms of dangerous […] Click here to view original…

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Post-Grenfell fund must tackle insulation issues

The Chancellor should ensure any government-backed fund to make all UK housing blocks safe following the Grenfell tragedy tackles the issue of rendered insulation as well as cladding. That is according to David Westgate, group chief executive at Andrews Property Group. Westgate said: “Based on our own recent experience, […] Click here to view original…

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Cladding scandal: is it safe to invest in a new-build high rise?

It’s been more than two years since the Grenfell Tower disaster, and a lot’s changed in the construction industry, but the repercussions are still being felt by many high-rise residents. Across England, thousands of owners of flats in high-rise buildings are currently in limbo, unable to remortgage or sell […] Click here to view original…

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