New board established to accelerate cladding remediation in London

The office of the Mayor of London has reported that a new Joint Remediation Partnership Board has been created to speed up the removal of unsafe cladding on residential buildings above 11 metres across the capital.

The board met for the first time on 6 May 2025 and is chaired jointly by Deputy Mayor of London for Housing Tom Copley and Minister for Building Safety and Fire Alex Norris.

The new group brings together City Hall, the Government, the London Fire Brigade, London Councils, housing providers and regulatory bodies.

It has been formed in response to what the office of the Mayor described as the scale of the building safety challenge in London, with more than 1,500 buildings in remediation programmes yet to begin works.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “This is a significant step forward in speeding up the removal of dangerous cladding in London, which had been far too slow under the previous Government.

“Everyone deserves the right to live in a safe home – a right denied to the residents of Grenfell Tower.

“I will not stop until we can say with confidence that the failings which led to this disaster will never be repeated.

“I will continue to work hand-in-hand with the Government, London Councils, the London Fire Brigade and the sector to take swift action to remove dangerous cladding on buildings as we continue to build a safer London for everyone.”

Strategy to meet 2029 national remediation target

The office of the Mayor stated that the board will establish a formal plan to align national, regional and local enforcement efforts.

Its purpose is to support the Government’s goal that, by the end of 2029, all residential buildings over 11 metres with unsafe cladding across the UK will either be remediated, scheduled for completion, or subject to enforcement penalties.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities reported that London currently has four times the national average of high-rise homes, and over 1,500 buildings in Government remediation programmes have not yet started work on site.

Building and Fire Safety Minister Alex Norris said: “The pace of remediation has been far too slow and nearly eight years on from the Grenfell Fire tragedy far too many people are living in buildings with unsafe cladding.

“This problem is particularly acute in London, which is why I’m pleased to be working with the Deputy Mayor for London and the Greater London Authority to accelerate the pace of remediation work in London, and ensure residents feel safe and secure in their homes.

“Alongside the London Fire Brigade, London Councils and regulators, we are bringing renewed vigour to tackling long-overdue issues with unsafe cladding in the capital.”

Calls for resources and coordination from borough councils

London Councils has welcomed the creation of the new board but highlighted that local authorities face funding constraints.

Cllr Grace Williams, London Councils’ Executive Member for Housing & Regeneration, said: “Boroughs’ overriding priority is to ensure every Londoner is safe – and feels safe – in their home.

“Faster progress must be made in removing unsafe cladding and it is vital this coalition of key partners help bring together our respective powers, resources and influence to accelerate remediation.

“It is also pivotal that boroughs and our partners have sufficient resources to enforce standards.

“There is currently a massive squeeze on London’s housing budgets, which makes it harder to modernise buildings and address safety concerns, as well as holding us back from building the new housing we desperately need.”

London Fire Brigade supports partnership initiative

The London Fire Brigade has stated that the new partnership will help improve building safety across the capital.

Charlie Pugsley, Deputy Commissioner and Director of Prevention, Protection, and Operational Policy at London Fire Brigade, said: “The creation of the Joint Remediation Partnership Board, and continued support from the Mayor of London, will be key in helping to address the ongoing challenges being faced across London’s built environment.

“We support this action being taken to drive forward the remediation required across London’s high and medium rise residential properties.

“It is unacceptable that leaseholders and residents continue to face such uncertainty and stress, and in many cases, a significant financial burden, due to these buildings with dangerous cladding still not being remediated.

“Those responsible for residential buildings have a legal obligation and we will continue to work with all stakeholders to identify and address the risks to keep Londoners safe.”

Campaigners urge intervention on tower block plans in Bromley

The Fire Brigades Union and building safety campaign groups have written to Sadiq Khan and Bromley Council leader Colin Smith calling for construction of a proposed residential tower block in Penge to be halted.

According to the Fire Brigades Union, the planned building is 17.7 metres tall – 30 centimetres below the 18-metre threshold that triggers a requirement for two staircases under current regulations.

The London Fire Brigade lodged a nine-point objection, arguing that reducing the height to avoid a second staircase is “not ethically justified”.

Fire Brigades Union warns reduced height building could risk lives

Fire Brigades Union General Secretary Steve Wright said the development undermines post-Grenfell safety improvements.

He said: “This is an attempt to cut corners and get around the building safety regulations introduced to avoid a repeat of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

“If the development goes ahead in its current form, residents of this property will only have one staircase which they can use to evacuate.

“This could cost lives.

“It’s vital that Sadiq Khan uses his powers to block this attempt to circumvent the safety improvements that were introduced in the wake of the Grenfell fire.”

Organisations that have signed the letter include Justice for Grenfell, End Our Cladding Scandal, Tower Blocks UK, UK Cladding Action, ACORN, the London Renters’ Union and the Penge Preservation Society.

Mayor and Government launch joint board to address London’s cladding crisis: Summary

The office of the Mayor of London has reported that a new Joint Remediation Partnership Board has been established.

The board is co-chaired by Deputy Mayor for Housing Tom Copley and Minister for Building Safety and Fire Alex Norris.

It brings together representatives from City Hall, the Government, London Councils, housing associations, the London Fire Brigade and regulatory bodies.

The board will set a strategy to speed up the removal of unsafe cladding from residential buildings in London over 11 metres in height.

The strategy supports the national target to remediate such buildings by the end of 2029 or issue enforcement penalties.

More than 1,500 buildings in London’s remediation programme have not yet started on site.

The London Fire Brigade stated that continued inaction places residents under stress and financial strain.

London Councils said boroughs need greater resources to deliver building safety enforcement and remediation.

The Fire Brigades Union has written to the Mayor and Bromley Council opposing a 17.7 metre tower block that avoids new staircase rules.

The FBU warned that a single-staircase building of that height could endanger residents during an evacuation.