NFCC response to the Public Accounts Committee’s report on cladding: We cannot enforce our way out of the cladding crisis – warn Fire Chiefs

Responding to the Public Accounts Committee’s report – Remediation of Dangerous Cladding – published today, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Chair, Mark Hardingham, said: 

 “Today’s report exposes both the extent of the cladding crisis and the considerable gaps that lie between the remediation action plan and its realisation. 

 “We witness the drive and determination of those in government working to speed up the rate of remediation. However, today’s report confirms what NFCC recently warned about in our remediation industry white paper – that unless we tackle the fundamental challenges, progress will continue to stall. 

 “Funding is a challenge – as the Public Accounts Committee identifies – but it is not the only one. The Committee also highlights workforce shortages. Fire and rescue services have been at the forefront of the response to remediate unsafe buildings, but as we continue to point out, lack the capacity and workforce needed to identify and inspect all mid-rise residential buildings. We are also seeing delays to remediation compounded further by skills shortages in the construction sector.  

“Whilst the Committee is justified in putting a spotlight on the important role of enforcement, this must be considered against the fact that many responsible building owners lack the means to comply due to complex ownership structures, or a shortage of skilled professionals to do the job. Put simply – we cannot enforce our way out of the cladding crisis.  

“NFCC is calling for a centrally coordinated Government led programme to address barriers to remediating unsafe residential buildings, with a cross-departmental Construction Skills Strategy needed to address chronic shortages in fire engineers, risk assessors, and other key professionals. Today’s report underpins the importance of getting those essential foundations in place so that we are not leaving thousands of people living in unsafe buildings for many more years to come.” 

ENDS 

Notes to Editors

• The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is an independent membership association and the professional voice of the UK Fire and Rescue Service. NFCC supports fire and rescue services to continually improve, helping them to save lives and keep their local communities safe. NFCC is a charity and a membership association supporting and representing the UK Fire and Rescue Service. Founded in 1941, NFCC was established as a company and charity in 1998 as The Chief Fire Officers’ Association, transforming into the NFCC in 2017.