Tower block cladding: 27 buildings fail fire safety tests

Some 27 high-rise residential blocks have failed fire safety tests because of the cladding used on them.

The towers in 15 council areas were identified as part of a national operation to identify at-risk buildings in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster.

The local authority areas with buildings that failed tests include Manchester, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Hounslow, Brent and Camden.

The Government has said it is not identifying other areas until residents have been notified, so as not to cause undue concern.

Test results are being sent to local landlords and fire services, with councils to decide on what course of action is needed and to inform residents.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn described the failed tests as a "nationwide threat" as he urged the Prime Minister to convene the Government’s emergency committee to provide a "national response".

The Liberal Democrats demanded the Government declare a civil emergency, create a fund to compensate those evacuated from their homes and guarantee anyone told to leave their properties they won’t have to pay council tax until they return.

Thousands have already been evacuated from high-rise blocks in Camden, north London, although other local authorities will make their own decisions based on the nature of their area’s housing stock.

Brent Council leader Muhammed Butt told Sky News the high-rise block in his area that failed the Government’s fire safety test has been checked by the fire service and evacuation was not deemed necessary.

Cladding has been removed on two Portsmouth tower blocks after being found to be a fire risk, although local officials insisted the buildings were still safe for residents to stay in.

The Prime Minister said it is possible for some councils to take "mitigating action" on tower blocks, but in other cases it had been necessary to move people out.

Speaking at an event celebrating Armed Forces Day in Liverpool, Theresa May revealed "it wasn’t just a question of the cladding" but "a number of other issues" with the Camden tower blocks that concerned the fire service.

The Prime Minister said the Government would ensure councils take "immediate action" over the failed tests, adding: "Absolutely our first priority is people’s safety."

Local authorities and the Government are together "making sure the resources are there to ensure what is needed to keep people safe is being done", including finding alternative accommodation for those told to leave their homes, Mrs May said.

In a statement, Mr Corbyn, who is at Glastonbury Festival, said: "Tower blocks across the country have now failed fire safety tests in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster.

"This is now a nationwide threat and the Prime Minister needs to get a grip and lead a national response, including convening the Cobra committee to coordinate Government and public action.

"I urge the Government to make sure all necessary support – including, crucially, financial support – is urgently made available to councils across the country so they can deal swiftly and effectively with the scale of the fire safety challenge."

Communities and Local Government Secretary Sajid Javid had earlier said the Government will help local authorities with funding for any action they do take.

It comes as the manufacturer of the insulation used to clad Grenfell Tower said they would stop using the product on high-rise buildings.

Celotex, which makes the RS5000 insulation boards in the tower’s rainscreen cladding, insisted no building over 18m tall would be fitted with the material.

At least 79 people are feared to have died after the west London tower block was engulfed by a huge fire ten days ago.

Six people are still being treated by three London hospitals following the disaster, with two in critical care, NHS England said.

By Saturday morning, more than £1.2m of government money had been distributed to those affected by the blaze as part of support measures.

Work has also begun on installing a temporary boiler after the one that served Grenfell Tower and surrounding properties was completely destroyed.

The Government announced suppliers have agreed to write off outstanding utility bills for victims of the fire.

Labour has stepped up its attack on the Government over the tragedy, with shadow home secretary Diane Abbott claiming the victims died as "a direct consequence of Tory attitudes in social housing".

She argued the Conservatives saw social housing residents as "second-class citizens".

In Camden, 650 homes were evacuated from the Chalcots Estate with less than an hour’s notice on Friday evening, following a meeting between council officials and the London Fire Brigade.

Residents expressed their anger at the short time they were given to vacate their homes.

The council said 83 households refused to leave.

Along with local councils, NHS Trusts have also been told to urgently check their buildings to establish whether they are clad in materials used on Grenfell Tower.

(c) Sky News 2017: Tower block cladding: 27 buildings fail fire safety tests