Cladding fund papers over residents’ concerns: Andrew Parker writes for The Times

Construction Partner, Andrew Parker, has authored an article for The Times entitled Cladding fund papers over residents’ concerns.

In his article, Andrew gives context to the announcement from Robert Jenrick that £3.5 billion is being made available to sort the cladding crisis covering ambiguity over the use of the funds, lack of ease to access them and the ability of the construction industry to respond to the increase in demand for cladding related works.

Andrew raises the crucial points that “it is not at all clear from the announcement whether the extra money promised will reach the people that need it” and details the problems in defining buildings which are in scope for government money. “Even the requirement that qualifying buildings be at least 18 metres high is problematic, thanks to an inconsistency in the building regulations, which in one place require the height of the building to be 18 metres, and in another require the floor of the sixth storey to be at least 18 metres.” Furthermore, when it comes to carrying out the remedial works, Andrew points out that "the insurance market is currently running a mile from fire-related cladding works and many professionals are simply unable to obtain any cover at all — where does that leave prospective applications?"

The full article can be accessed here, behind the paywall.