Responding to the government’s announcement of further measures to tackle the building safety crisis, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has accused the government of taking a “piecemeal and patchwork approach – designed to shield itself from responsibility”.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “From the very start, firefighters and residents have warned that the building safety crisis goes far beyond the flammable cladding that was on Grenfell Tower.

“This funding falls far short of the estimated £15bn needed to end the crisis. The government’s piecemeal and patchwork approach – designed to shield itself from responsibility – is wreaking havoc on the lives of millions of innocent people.

“The government has sent a clear message that it cares more about their friends and donors in the housing and construction industry than residents trapped in dangerous buildings below 18m or the tens of thousands more with other serious fire safety defects.”