The government’s multi-billion pound intervention to end unsafe cladding
After the tragic incident of Grenfell tower in 2017, a massive investigation was launched to determine what caused the fire to spread so rapidly, resulting in an outcome that blamed the poor quality of the additional external cladding used to hold the building together.
The cladding used was below standard and the company providing the cladding ‘knew of fire risk’ – according to the BBC.*
Grenfell tower spurred on a movement within the UK, leading the government to pay closer attention to the materials used within similar property blocks.
After this data was released, figures showed that an estimated 1,700 buildings over 18 metres in height were identified to have unsafe cladding, affecting upwards of 321,000 current residents.**
What the government is doing
After significant pressure from the British public, the government recently announced a pledge of £1.7 billion towards the removal and replacement of unsafe cladding on high-rise residential buildings, otherwise known as the Building Safety Fund.
However, the Building Safety Fund has been criticised by some as not being adequate, as the government itself estimates the total cost of cladding restoration on all 1,700 affected buildings will be between £3 billion and £3.5 billion.
Another criticism of the Building Safety Fund is the available money will be distributed via a first come first served basis rather than on a risk factor, a choice that has been widely criticised.
In December 2018, the government also put a ban in place on all ACM cladding (the cladding used on Grenfell) on residential buildings to stop future high rise buildings from meeting the same fate as Grenfell tower.
For more information, please refer to: www.local.gov.uk/supporting-residents-who-have-been-affected-cladding-issues
*BBC News
**Local GOV.UK
This article was originally published by BriefYourMarket and is reproduced here with their permission.
For more company news and insights from Pygott & Crone, click here
Latest news
Understanding rent reviews and increases
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 introduced a clear and structured framework for rent increases in England's private rented sector that every tenant should understand.
Mortgage rates and refinancing decisions
Mortgage rates continue to be one of the biggest considerations for homeowners, buyers and landlords planning their next move.
Price your home right: The foundation of success
Every detail in a property sale—from photography and listing descriptions to viewings and negotiations—operates within the framework created by the asking price.
First-time buyer essentials: What you need to know
First-time buyers accounted for approximately 36% of all mortgaged property purchases in the UK in 2025, making them the largest single group of buyers in the market.
