MPs call on Government to take the lead on cladding

Leeds Central MP Hilary Benn has called on the Government to finally take a stand against potentially flammable cladding on the sides of high rise buildings in Leeds.
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Mr Benn said it was a “scandal” that leaseholders in the city were having to pay for waking watches to ensure their buildings are safe, and that the developers who built the blocks should foot the bill.

It follows claims from the Labour Party that 70 buildings in Leeds are on the Building Safety Fund register for buildings with potentially dangerous non-ACM cladding. It claims that a total of more than 15,000 people in West Yorkshire are still living in flats with potentially flammable cladding.

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Labour MPs presented a motion in Parliament this week calling on Government to fund cladding remediation to start immediately, and pursue “those responsible” for the cladding crisis.

Mr Benn said: “This is a scandal and all the leaseholders in Leeds who are affected are looking to Parliament to take action. They thought they had bought the home of their dreams but they are living in a nightmare.

“Their flats are a fire risk which means they are worthless and can’t be sold. Leaseholders are paying huge bills for waking watches and insurance and they’re afraid that they will be told they have to pay to fix the problem for which they are not in any way responsible.

“It’s the people who built the blocks who are responsible and they should pay, along with the Government, for fixing them. The time for dither and delay is over. What my constituents want is a plan that will make their homes safe.”

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The motion, which will be presented by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer today read: “That this House calls on the Government to urgently establish the extent of dangerous cladding and prioritise buildings according to risk; provide upfront funding to ensure cladding remediation can start immediately; protect leaseholders and taxpayers from the cost by pursuing those responsible for the cladding crisis; and update Parliament once a month in the form of a Written Ministerial Statement by the Secretary of State.”

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has been contacted for a response.