Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove MP is pursing construction giant Arconic who have so far refused to pay for fire safety remediation works. Meanwhile, the Labour Government in Wales continues to do little to make developers pay.
Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Housing Minister, Janet Finch-Saunders MS said:
“The UK Conservative Government is leading the way on dealing with the cladding issues that has blighted residents since the Grenfell tragedy.
“Michael Gove is standing firm, making developers pay for these vital works, while Labour continues to do very little.
“Almost six years on from Grenfell, what the Welsh Government has created is a clog in the cladding remediation campaign that is seeing social housing prioritised over private leaseholds, survey outcomes still unknown, and as of last week, only 6 developers actually signing the pact.
“Every high rise should be treated as a priority, and the Welsh Government must work in partnership with victims to make sure that their homes are made safe urgently.
“As it stands, the latest update from the Minister has resulted in more questions than hope that problems are going to be tackled. For example, we need a timeframe for when buildings will be remediated, detail of the sanctions that will be used against any developer that fails to comply, and clarity whether developers need the new interest free loans taxpayers are now funding to help with works.
“Labour are all talk and no action on cladding. Residents deserve a government that is on their side, not a dithering, delaying talking shop.”