Industry responds to government £1bn cladding investment in Autumn Budget 2024
Iain Hoey
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Budget addresses cladding remediation after Grenfell Inquiry
Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Autumn Budget 2024, delivered on 30 October, highlighted a new £1 billion allocation aimed at the remediation of homes with unsafe cladding.
This move, as per government sources, aligns with commitments to improve fire safety standards across the United Kingdom in response to findings from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
In the budget statement, Reeves stated that the government is prioritising home safety by addressing cladding concerns.
Reeves noted: “We will also make progress on our commitment to accelerate the remediation of homes following the findings of the Grenfell Inquiry… with £1bn of investment to remove dangerous cladding next year.”
Industry leaders call for comprehensive fire safety standards
While some industry stakeholders welcome the government’s focus on cladding remediation, others stress the need for broader, systemic reforms in fire safety.
Nicola John, Managing Director of Fire Door Maintenance at UAP Ltd, remarked that the government’s initiative falls short of addressing the underlying issues.
John stated: “The government’s plans to invest in cladding removal are too little too late.
“Instead of addressing the root causes of poor fire safety standards, this step only addresses the symptoms.”
John added that addressing fire safety comprehensively involves understanding the lifecycle of fire safety products to prevent knowledge gaps and advocated for top-down regulatory oversight to advance the sector.
Construction sector acknowledges cladding fund but raises concerns
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) highlighted the importance of the government’s funding for cladding remediation.
Eddie Tuttle, CIOB Director of Policy, Research and Public Affairs, noted that the recognition of dangerous cladding is a critical step, especially following the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
Tuttle stated: “Finally, building safety remains a critical concern for the construction industry, so we were pleased funding for dangerous cladding remediation was acknowledged as part of the budget, particularly in the wake of the second phase of the report into the tragedy at Grenfell Tower.”
Despite the allocated funds, some industry experts maintain that additional reforms and oversight are necessary to fully address the fire safety landscape.
Calls for increased training and regulatory oversight
Industry experts are urging for additional training and regulatory oversight to ensure long-term fire safety improvements.
Nicola John argued that workforce education around fire safety protocols is essential to understanding product safety across the entire construction process.
This training, she stated, would enable industry professionals to deliver consistent safety standards.
John emphasised the need for government-led regulatory reforms to secure better safety outcomes for residential and commercial properties.
Industry responds to government £1bn cladding investment in Autumn Budget 2024: Summary
The Autumn Budget 2024 announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves includes a £1 billion investment to remove unsafe cladding from buildings, a measure aimed at improving fire safety following the Grenfell Inquiry.
Reeves affirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing housing safety.
Industry leaders, however, have expressed concerns that the measure does not address the core issues surrounding fire safety standards.
Nicola John from Fire Door Maintenance highlighted the need for training across the industry on fire safety protocols to bridge knowledge gaps.
Eddie Tuttle of the CIOB welcomed the funding but noted ongoing safety concerns in construction.
Calls for increased oversight and comprehensive training have accompanied the budget announcement, with stakeholders seeking long-term solutions beyond cladding remediation.