The chancellor has confirmed that funding for the removal of cladding on high-rise blocks will be extended to all forms of dangerous exteriors, not just aluminium composite material.

The government had been facing growing criticism over the fact its £600m fund announced last year was only available to help residents of ACM-clad blocks despite the fact fire safety experts have branded other materials unsafe.

Rishi Sunak announced the launch of a £1bn fund to cover these costs in his Budget speech today.

He said: “Two and a half years on, we’re still grappling with the tragic legacy of Grenfell.

“Last year, we allocated £600m to remove unsafe ACM from high rise residential buildings.

“Today I go further.

“Expert advice is clear that new public funding must concentrate on removing unsafe materials from high rise residential buildings.

“So, today, I am creating a new Building Safety Fund worth £1bn.”

Sunak said this was in line with what independent experts, the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee and the opposition have been calling for.

He added: “That new fund will go beyond dealing with ACM to make sure that all unsafe combustible cladding will be removed from every private and social residential building above 18 metres high.

“And my Right Honourable Friend the housing secretary will spearhead our efforts to make sure developers and building owners do their fair share as well.”

The UK Cladding Action Group welcomed the news with some reservations.

Its says: “We welcome and thank the chancellor for factoring in the cladding scandal into his budget – a nightmare endured by over half a million British people across the country for far too long.

“We look forward to hearing in more detail how this money is to be spent and do hope as stated that it covers all types of cladding and fire safety defects; notedly today’s announcement does not address what will now happen for buildings under 18 metres.

“The crisis was avoidable and has caused an insurmountable amount of stress and anguish for many people. 

“The government always said the original ACM fund was created to quicken the pace of remediation works – but to date only a handful of eligible buildings have been fully approved for funding. 

“As of 13/02/20, 175 private residential buildings remain covered in ACM.”

The group urged ministers to ensure the pace of remediation now quickens.

It adds: “We want to be clear, this is a welcome step it shows the government has finally conceded that fire does not distinguish between different types of dangerous materials and sets a clear precedent for the future.”

The group called for clarification over whether they fund would cover waking watchers and other interim safety measures until cladding can be removed.

It says there are also questions over whether leaseholders will be able to remortgage, sell or gain affordable insurance as they wait for work to be carried out.