Watchdog Warns Cladding Removal Deadline at Risk

The UK government may fail to meet its 2035 deadline to remove unsafe cladding from buildings unless progress accelerates, according to the National Audit Office (NAO).

In its latest report, the spending watchdog revealed that 60% of buildings with dangerous cladding remain unidentified, raising doubts about achieving the target timeline.

Slow Progress and Fraud Concerns

The NAO highlighted that the pace of remediation has been “unacceptably slow.”

While £2.3 billion has been spent on identified buildings, work has been completed on only one-third, with no progress on half.

Furthermore, the watchdog reported potential fraud amounting to over £500,000 in one case, prompting a review of counter-fraud measures to safeguard public funds.

Broader Safety Issues Persist

The findings come after the Grenfell Inquiry’s September conclusion, which exposed systemic failures by manufacturers and regulators leading to the 2017 tragedy, where 72 lives were lost.

Residents living in unsafe buildings continue to face high costs for interim safety measures and depreciating property values. They say that the cladding issue, along with unresolved safety defects, has left them “unable to move on.”

Financial Challenges and Recommendations

Plans to recoup £3.4 billion via a Building Safety Levy will not commence until at least autumn 2025. The NAO urged stricter enforcement, mandatory registration of medium-rise buildings, and mechanisms to resolve disputes between residents and developers if identification of unsafe buildings does not improve.

The government allocated £5.1 billion for cladding removal but estimated total costs to be £16.6 billion.

Government Response and Next Steps

Building Safety Minister Alex Norris acknowledged the slow pace and promised a “Remediation Acceleration Plan” to expedite work. He emphasised holding developers accountable and reaffirmed the government’s financial commitment.

In London, more than £1 billion has been spent over six years to address dangerous cladding, with 58% of projects either completed or underway. However, Gareth Davies of the NAO stressed that much remains to be done, warning of risks to meeting the budget cap without successfully implementing the proposed levy.

Calls for Action

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chair of the Public Accounts Committee, criticised the program’s delays, urging MHCLG to accelerate progress and strengthen fraud controls. Survivors and campaigners continue to press for urgent action to ensure all affected buildings are made safe and taxpayers are protected from further financial burden.

The slow progress in removing dangerous cladding, as highlighted by the National Audit Office (NAO), underscores the critical importance of having robust emergency evacuation plans and equipment in place for affected buildings.

With tens of thousands of buildings still at risk, and some potentially never identified, residents face prolonged exposure to fire hazards, making immediate preparedness essential.

To ensure the safety of residents in buildings with unresolved safety issues, the following steps are essential:

1. Evacuation Plans: Detailed, accessible evacuation plans tailored to each building’s layout and specific risks should be communicated to all residents. These plans must account for vulnerable individuals, such as those with mobility challenges.
2. Regular Drills: Conducting regular fire drills ensures residents are familiar with evacuation procedures and can act swiftly in an emergency.
3. Emergency Equipment: Buildings must be equipped with functioning fire alarms, smoke detectors, emergency lighting, and evacuation devices.
4. Clear Communication Channels: Authorities and building managers should establish clear lines of communication with residents, providing updates on safety measures and emergency protocols.
5. Collaborative Efforts: Residents, building owners, and local authorities should work together to identify safety gaps and implement solutions proactively.

The right equipment is key to a dignified and safe evacuation process, particularly for those who cannot use stairs:

Tailored Solutions: Evacuation equipment must be specifically suited to the needs of individuals. For wheelchair users, the ideal scenario is an evacuation device that allows them to evacuate in their own wheelchair, thereby avoiding the need to transfer to another seat and leaving their wheelchair behind.

Integrated Evacuation Plans: It is crucial to integrate these evacuation strategies into the general safety protocols of the institution, ensuring they are a standard part of emergency procedures.

 Evaccess often recommends devices that are simple to operate by a single person. In scenarios requiring movement between different levels, powered units are advised to minimise physical strain and enable individuals of all sizes to assist others in moving up and down stairs effectively.

Evaccess’s Evacuation Devices:

Evaccess’s lineup includes a variety of evacuation devices, such as stair climbers and evacuation chairs, each designed to meet specific safety needs during emergencies. Their stair climbers are portable, capable of transporting individuals in wheelchairs both up and down stairs with ease and can be operated by a single helper.

These devices focus on stability and ease of use, facilitating evacuations from various building levels, including basements. Additionally, Evaccess offers well-engineered evacuation chairs equipped with braking systems and powered features for easy operation, making them ideal for multi-story buildings where elevators are unusable during emergencies.

Featured Evacuation Products from Evaccess

The LG2004 T-Lift: This state-of-the-art model provides a revolutionary solution for evacuating individuals in wheelchairs. Capable of transporting both a person and their wheelchair up and down stairs, the T-Lift eliminates the need for physical lifting.

The Gecko: Tailored for adaptability, the Gecko excels in navigating a variety of staircases, including straight, spiral, and flared configurations. Its anti-tilt technology eases the load on operators while ensuring safety and stability, supporting up to 180 kg.

The Super-Trac TRE-70: The TRE-70 is a versatile powered stair climber designed to enhance accessibility and safety in multi-level buildings. It allows for the smooth transportation of individuals in wheelchairs over stairs, without the need for transfer from their chairs

Explore the full range of Evaccess products here: https://evaccess.uk/products/

The Evaccess Commitment

The Evaccess team is dedicated to supporting you by offering guidance and answering any queries. By choosing Evaccess, facilities managers can meet and exceed modern standards for safety and accessibility, promoting a culture of inclusivity and preparedness in building management.

Call Evaccess for advice and information.

https://evaccess.uk/

0121 444 3690

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