A survey of residents living in high-rise and at-risk blocks with combustible cladding has found that 70 per cent have yet to see their buildings made safe.

The poll of 1,352 people living in such buildings was carried out on behalf of MPs on the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee, who are  carrying out an inquiry into the cladding scandal following the Grenfell fire.

The HCLG Committee’s survey has uncovered significant ongoing fire safety issues in blocks across the country, with residents facing bills of many thousands of pounds for remedial works that are not covered by the government’s fund.

Necessary safety works include the removal of combustible cladding, installing suitable fire breaks and replacing timber balconies or walkways. 

The committee found that some respondents are still having to pay for round the clock fire watches, facing higher insurance premiums or increased service charges.

Residents called for the government to go further in its support than the £1bn Building Safety Fund announced in the 2020 Spring Budget by ensuring that all forms of dangerous cladding are removed and other safety defects fixed.

Committee chair Clive Betts says: “I would like to thank all those who took part in the survey.

“It is vital that we get an understanding of the reality of the situation for thousands across the country as we continue our work into cladding remediation.

“What we have heard is not encouraging and it appears that much more will need to be done if people are to feel safe in their homes, and no longer face the stress of large bills to resolve issues not of their making.

“The Housing, Communities and Local Government will continue to hold the government and industry to account while the issues remain widespread.”