Combustible cladding to be banned as councils given power over private high-rise blocks

Under new regulations, combustible materials will not be permitted on any new residential buildings over 18m in height. These measures will also cover student accommodation, boarding schools, residential care homes and hospitals. This has come after the government issued warnings to private high-rise block owners not to pass on costs of re-cladding to leaseholders. The Ministry for Housing and Local Government (MHCLG) stated that Local Authorities will get full backing and any necessary financial support to carry out the emergency work on affected private residential buildings with the unsafe ACM cladding. Housing Secretary James Brokenshire assures that costs will be recovered from building owners to allow buildings to be made safe without delay. The ban on combustible cladding on high-rise blocks is forecasted to cost up to £337 million over the next decade.