Briefings and responses

The Government needs to give social housing providers clear guidance on what materials can be used to replace unsafe aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding.

The Grenfell Tower fire has exposed the inadequacy of the system by which assurance is provided that cladding systems are safe.

The LGA welcomes the publication of Dame Judith Hackitt’s final report, and supports many of the recommendations in it

LGA Response to MHCLG consultation on banning the use of combustible materials in the external walls of high-rise residential buildings

We welcome the steps that have been taken to date to address dangerous cladding and other fire safety issues, including the ban on combustible cladding. However, the Government needs to act with urgency to deliver protections for residents in dangerous buildings as quickly as possible.

"In order to respond comprehensively to emergency situations, fire and rescue services need to be funded and resourced to respond to risk, not demand."

We are calling on the Government to introduce tougher sprinkler rules to ensure fire safety in high-rise buildings and care homes. 

Social housing providers have acted to protect residents. While some private landlords are doing the same, there is a significant issue with private landlords who are reluctant to act, are passing charges onto leaseholders, or sometimes cannot be identified.

We are not commenting on any feature other than the use of the FSO in relation to multi-occupancy high-rise buildings. Our responses contained below.

We have followed the consultation in referring to sprinklers. However guidance and standards need to allow for the development of other automatic fire suppression system technologies.