Green Party's Sian Berry responds to news 600 buildings may have Grenfell cladding

Responding to the news that 600 buildings in Britain may have the same cladding used at Grenfell [1], the Green Party's Assembly Member for London Sian Berry said:

 

"I am deeply concerned by the news that so many residents have been making their homes in tower blocks with the same cladding that was on Grenfell Tower.

 

“I am also extremely worried by just how long it has taken the government to get this information. Surely after a disaster of the kind we saw at Grenfell finding out where else it could occur should have been one of the main priorities? It's good to finally have an answer and action being taken but the wait was too long and information on fire risks must be dealt with more transparently and clearly in future.

 

"We also need a cast iron guarantee that any resident who wishes to move out while these necessary works are done is given temporary accommodation, particularly vulnerable residents. And we need to know that authorities will not move straight to demolish buildings that have used the cladding but refurbish them instead. With communities knitted together in those blocks, demolition should be a last resort.”