Correspondence

Letter to ACM buildings

Published 2 December 2024

Applies to England

From: Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government

Date: 1 December 2024

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to clarify this government’s expectations regarding the remediation of buildings with unsafe cladding.

It is completely unacceptable that more than 7 years after the tragedy at Grenfell Tower there is still unsafe Aluminium Composite Material cladding on a high-rise residential building for which you are responsible.

Government funding has been available since 2019 to support remediation of your building. While I recognise that remediation is not always a simple process, this government will not stand by whilst leaseholders remain unsafe in their homes because of your delay.

Let me be clear, you are responsible for the safety of this building and only consistent and urgent effort to remove flammable cladding is acceptable.

My expectation is you will start remediation work on site by 31 March 2025 at the latest. I appreciate approval by the Building Safety Regulator is taking longer than expected, and we are working with the Regulator to resolve this.

My Department will take all necessary action to ensure the building is remediated at pace, and that you are held to account if this expectation is not met. This could include direct legal action by the government’s Recovery Strategy Unit.

We will shortly be setting out our Remediation Acceleration Plan which will outline the additional measures the government will ensure homes are made safe as quickly as possible. This government will act where others have failed – doing everything in our power to ensure people are safe in their homes.

Yours sincerely,

Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP

Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government