Two years ago, 72 people needlessly lost their lives in the Grenfell disaster. On 10 June 2019, Parliamentarians joined survivors and campaigners to remember those who lost their lives in the horrific tragedy.

On 6 June MP’s debated the response to the Grenfell tower fire. Speaking in the debate, Rushanara Ali MP pressed the Government to fund the removal of all dangerous cladding on all buildings, irrespective of their height or purpose.

On 29 April, Rushanara held an adjournment debate in support of the campaign organised by Inside Housing, UK Cladding Action Group and Grenfell United, on funding for privately-owned high-rise blocks with dangerous cladding on behalf of her constituents and residents across the country who are leaseholders. Rushanara urged the Government to legislate and make a funding commitment for repairs so that freeholders pay and cannot pass on the bills of thousands of pounds to leaseholders.

Rushanara’s debate was featured in Politics Home, The Evening Standard, Inside Housing, 24 Housing and Housing Today. 

Following pressure from campaigners and parliamentarians, the Government finally allocated £200 million to remove dangerous ACM cladding from social housing and private tower blocks.

Commenting on the announcement, Rushanara Ali MP said:

“This is a step in the right direction, however, this funding does not go far enough. It only funds the removal of ACM cladding, meaning that the 1,700 high-rise or high-risk buildings with other forms of dangerous cladding are not protected. It is sickening that two years on, the Government has failed to replace all dangerous cladding from high-rise blocks.”