Almost half of unsafe buildings still need cladding work
Nine years after the Grenfell fire, work to remove dangerous cladding on more than 2,000 buildings has still not started.
Nine years after the horrors of the Grenfell Tower fire unfolded, nearly half of the buildings requiring cladding replacement work have still not been tackled.
New data shows that work on 2,080 buildings – at 47% – with unsafe cladding has not started or been completed.
Out of 4,411 residential buildings – which are 11 metres and over – identified with unsafe cladding, 1,672 buildings – at 38% – have completed remediation works.
Highest percentage
Southampton has completed the highest percentage of remediation works – as of 31 May 2026 -, standing at 78%, according to data from The Property Buying Company.
Hackney has seen 48% of remediation works completed, with 45% completed on buildings in Manchester.
A report from the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee as long as ago as March last year, found residents and taxpayers were still facing unacceptable levels of uncertainty, a lack of action in resolving the cladding crisis and unsaleable properties.
Strengthen
A Remediation Bill was introduced in last month’s King’s Speech aimed at strengthening building safety standards following the 2017 Grenfell fire.
Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark, said at the time of the King’s Speech: “It is positive to see plans to accelerate remediation works and strengthen accountability for unsafe buildings.
“Leaseholders and residents have faced unacceptable delays and uncertainty for too long.”
He went on to say: “The UK Government must ensure remediation funding, enforcement powers and clear legal responsibilities are implemented quickly so that affected residents are protected, and confidence can return to the housing market.”
