Rushanara Ali MP questions government over flammable cladding

Labour MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, Rushanara Ali, made a statement in the House of Commons on 14th July criticising the government for failing to properly address the remediation of flammable cladding across UK tower blocks.

3 years and a month on from Grenfell, Ali opened her speech by paying her respects to the survivors and bereaved. She also shared her concern for those still living in blocks with combustible cladding.

She stated 'There are an estimated 60,000 people living in homes with similar ACM cladding on the outside of their buildings, and many more living in buildings that are dangerous.'

Highlighting the inordinate amount of time the government has taken to address the issue, she commented 'It took a year for the Government to agree to fund the removal of ACM cladding in high-rise social housing blocks and then two years for private blocks and three years for others commitments to be made. That happened because of the actions of campaign groups such as Grenfell United, the UK Cladding Action Group and Inside Housing, as well as Members of Parliament and charities and housing organisations. It is not good enough that the Government have been forced kicking and screaming into doing these things, rather than taking responsibility, as was promised at the time of the fire.'

Read the full statement and subsequent debate amongst MPs here.

Later that evening, the Grenfell monthly silent march resumed after a 5-month hiatus during the Covid-19 lockdown. Attendees were encouraged to wear masks and keep an appropriate distance from one another.

Image: @GrenfellUnited