£400 million cladding removal delays affordable housing delivery

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The government has said it will pay local councils to remove cladding from high-rise buildings, by deducting the amount from its nationwide affordable housing programme

Some of the homes caught up in the delay are intended for social rent.

Following the recent Hackett review, which failed to recommend a ban on combustible cladding and insulation, the government announced a series of consultations to review the issue.

In recent weeks, Theresa May confirmed that the government will action the removal of cladding and combustible materials from high-rise buildings in response to the Grenfell Tower disaster last year.

Throughout the 11 months between Grenfell and the recent announcement to remove cladding from high-rise buildings, more than 30 councils requested but did not receive any assistance from the government regarding fire safety measures.

However, the removal will cost the government £400 million which, The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government confirmed will be taken from funds intended for its affordable housing programme.

Despite this, a spokesperson from the ministry said that no money will be lost from the affordable homes programme, which remains over £9 billion.

The figure is based on previous announcements over the last two years, including a £4.7 billion grant, a £1.4 billion grant and a £2 billion top up to provide 25,000 affordable homes.

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