UK Government sets cladding deadlines, funds £1 billion remediation plan, and pauses Grenfell-linked inquiries

UK Government launches cladding law, funding and enforcement action

The UK Government has confirmed new deadlines, funding access and enforcement measures as part of an updated plan to accelerate cladding remediation across social housing.

According to the UK Government, the joint plan was published on 17 July 2025 and follows delays in removing unsafe cladding from thousands of social housing buildings.

The new measures include over £1 billion in funding and set out legal obligations for landlords, backed by penalties for non-compliance.

The proposals form part of an update to the wider Remediation Acceleration Plan and are accompanied by the introduction of a draft Remediation Bill.

According to the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG), the plan aims to ensure that by the end of 2029 all 18m+ buildings are remediated, with buildings between 11m and 18m to follow by the end of 2031.

UK Government outlines joint plan with social housing sector

The UK Government reported that only 44 percent of the 2,800 social housing buildings identified with unsafe cladding in England had begun remediation by June 2025.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government said that the updated strategy was developed in partnership with social landlords to remove financial and operational barriers.

According to the policy paper, the new plan gives social landlords equal access to funding schemes and introduces a statutory Duty to Remediate.

The plan includes support from Homes England, the use of the National Remediation System for progress tracking, and mandatory reporting requirements.

Social landlords will also receive guidance and training on data use and will be required to provide fire risk assessments for buildings above 11 metres by December 2027.

Legal penalties and new Remediation Bill introduced

The government confirmed that new legislation will introduce enforceable deadlines for remediation of buildings with unsafe cladding.

Under the draft Remediation Bill, landlords must complete works on buildings over 18 metres by the end of 2029 and buildings between 11 metres and 18 metres by the end of 2031.

The government stated that those who fail to meet these deadlines without a reasonable excuse could face unlimited fines or imprisonment.

The new law will also give Homes England and local authorities the power to carry out remedial works themselves if landlords do not comply.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: “Today we have given social landlords access to over £1 billion to remediate unsafe cladding and make residents safe.

“We are also today sending a clear message to those responsible for a building still wrapped in unsafe cladding: act now or face the consequences.

“Our Remediation Bill will include a new duty on you to make your building safe by a specified date, and new powers to impose serious penalties on those who fail to comply with the duty, and ultimately to bypass them if necessary to make the building safe.”

Support for leaseholders and local authority involvement

New guidance also expands the Cladding Safety Scheme to include exceptional cases for buildings under 11 metres where no alternative funding is available.

Leaseholders are to receive continued support to reduce reliance on interim fire safety measures, including costs for Waking Watch services.

According to the UK Government, over £5 million has been made available to support Metro Mayors in delivering Local Remediation Acceleration Plans in their regions.

The Building Safety Levy is set to take effect from October 2026 and is expected to raise £3.4 billion over the next ten years.

Affordable, supported and small-scale housing will be exempt from the levy, along with discounts for developments on previously used land.

Building Safety Minister Alex Norris said: “We are determined to make buildings safe and protect residents.

“There is now a clear pathway to remediate every building with unsafe cladding.

“We expect everyone to play their part in giving residents and leaseholders the peace of mind that they deserve.”

Investigations paused into Grenfell suppliers during criminal proceedings

On 10 July 2025, the Cabinet Office confirmed that debarment investigations into seven companies named in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry had been paused.

According to the UK Government, this decision was made following advice from the Metropolitan Police and Crown Prosecution Service that the investigations could interfere with criminal proceedings.

The Procurement Act 2023 allows the government to investigate suppliers and add them to a debarment list, potentially excluding them from public contracts.

The Cabinet Office said the pause does not end the process, and action may resume once the criminal investigation has concluded.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden told Parliament that the priority must be maintaining the integrity of the police investigation.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has written to survivors, bereaved families and residents in the local community to communicate this decision and affirm the government’s position.

UK Government announces £1 billion plan to speed up cladding removal in social housing: Summary

The UK Government has published a new joint plan with the social housing sector to accelerate cladding remediation.

The announcement was made on 17 July 2025.

The plan includes over £1 billion in new investment.

Landlords must complete cladding remediation on buildings over 18 metres by 2029.

Buildings between 11 and 18 metres must be remediated by 2031.

New legislation will introduce legal obligations with fines or prison sentences for non-compliance.

Homes England and local authorities will be given powers to act where landlords fail to do so.

Funding will now be available to social landlords on the same terms as private building owners.

The National Remediation System will track remediation progress.

Additional support will be provided to leaseholders, including alternatives to Waking Watch.

Funding may be made available for buildings under 11 metres in specific cases.

Local Remediation Acceleration Plans will be led by Metro Mayors.

The Building Safety Levy is expected to raise £3.4 billion and begins in October 2026.

Debarment investigations into Grenfell-linked suppliers have been paused to protect criminal proceedings.

This decision follows advice from the Metropolitan Police and Crown Prosecution Service.