Grenfell Tower: Cladding ban proposals for tower blocks 'do not go far enough', MPs warn

Plans by the Government to ban combustible cladding on new high-rises in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire “do not go far enough” and must urgently be expanded to include all existing buildings, MPs have said.

Sprinklers should also be fitted to all tall residential buildings and ministers must find funding to pay for it immediately, the Housing Communities and Local Government Committee said in a new report.

Grenfell Tower, in which 72 people died, was covered in flammable cladding and did not have sprinklers fitted during a 2016 refurbishment.

The housing committee report follows an independent review by Dame Judith Hackitt, which called for an overhaul of building regulations, but did not recommend a ban of combustible cladding.

After the review was branded a “whitewash”, ministers announced a consultation on such a ban.

Chairman of the housing committee Clive Betts said: “We are now more than a year on from the catastrophic events at Grenfell Tower, yet despite an independent review of building regulations, we are still no closer to having a system that inspires confidence that residents can be safe and secure in their homes.

“We agree with the independent review that there is a need for a fundamental change of culture in the construction industry, but there are also measures that can and should be introduced now.

“We welcome the intention of the Government to ban combustible cladding, but the proposals do not go far enough. A ban on dangerous cladding must be extended beyond new high-rise constructions, to existing residential buildings as well as other high-risk buildings.”

The committee called on the ministers to urgently reform complex building regulations “before more lives are lost”, demanding an updated version of guidance be published by the end of the year.

The cross-party group of MPs also said they were concerned about some contractors appointing their own contractors who might be unwilling to report bad practice.

“The industry is riven with conflicts of interest at every turn, with manufacturers choosing the most lenient testing bodies for their products,” Mr Betts said,

“It just cannot be right that builders get to choose who marks their homework and urgent action is needed to make sure this does not continue.”

Chairman of the Local Government Association Chairman Lord Porter responded to the report saying: “The tragedy that unfolded at Grenfell Tower must never be allowed to happen again and we must ensure that those who live, work and visit high-rise and high-risk buildings are safe.

“The evidence from real fires in real tower blocks shows that using combustible materials on the external walls of high-rise buildings kills people. We continue to strongly urge the Government to ban the use of any combustible materials – including cladding panels, insulation and other materials on the external walls of high-rise and high-risk buildings.

“Implementation of the recommendations from Dame Judith’s final report, and the culture change she seeks in the construction industry will take time. However building owners, the construction industry and regulators need about clarity now about what they can and cannot put on the side of the buildings.”