Building safety: cladding and insulation manufacturers to contribute to cladding remediation

Following on from the government's call for residential developers to contribute to the remediation of unsafe cladding in residential developments of between 11-18 metres, the Secretary of State for the Department of Levelling Up has now written to the Construction Products Association to make it clear that the government expects cladding and insulation manufacturers also to make commitments to contribute to the cost of fixing unsafe cladding.

The cladding and insulation sector contribution

As the cladding and insulation sector has an "unquestionable responsibility for contributing to the remediation of their unsafe cladding products" the sector is being asked to: 

• make a financial contribution in this year and in subsequent years, in the same way as has been asked of residential developers, to remediate unsafe cladding on 11+ m buildings; and
• provide comprehensive information on all buildings over 11 metres with historic fire-safety defects to which companies have supplied products or services.

A public funding commitment is expected from the sector by early March and this should amount to a "significant proportion" of the total remediation costs caused by the use of "dangerous products" for buildings over 11 metres. 

Failure to comply may result the use of the regulatory framework to limit any culpable company from operating and selling products in the UK in the future, and the pursuit of individuals and firms liable for building defects who are unwilling to do the right thing now. 

This demand for a financial contribution marks the latest attempt by government to secure financial contributions to help pay for remediation of cladding, and reflects the government's criticism of product manufacturers and concerns around culture and practice in the industry.