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TOWER SHAME

Only THREE of 160 towers covered in deadly Grenfell cladding have been replaced

Shock new figures released by the government show snail's-pace refurbishments of council blocks wrapped in combustible composite cladding

ONLY three of 160 social housing blocks covered in deadly cladding similar to that used on Grenfell tower have had the material replaced.

Shock new figures have revealed that thousands of council and social landlord tenants are still feared to be at risk.

 Grenfell tower in West London was engulfed in flames that spread rapidly because of its composite cladding
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Grenfell tower in West London was engulfed in flames that spread rapidly because of its composite claddingCredit: PA:Press Association

They come seven months after the horror inferno in West London that killed 71 and shamed manufacturers and council chiefs.

The composite cladding was found to massively increase the speed and reach of the ferocious flames that swept up 20 of Grenfell's 24 storeys in minutes.

A report by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government released on Monday shows 312 blocks nationwide are still wrapped in similar combustible cladding.

Of these a staggering 299 are believed to be breaching fire safety regulations — and officials predict that number will rise.

 71 people died in the Grenfell tower disaster
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71 people died in the Grenfell tower disasterCredit: AP:Associated Press

Of the 160 council towers just over 100 have not had any flammable cladding removed despite failing safety tests.

Cladding has been removed from 17 towers over 18 metres tall — while the process of re-cladding has started on a further nine.

Only three are known to the government to have been fully re-clad.

John Healey, Labour's shadow housing secretary, slammed the pace of progress as "simply not good enough".

He added: "Only one in four of Grenfell survivors have a new permanent home, the government still can’t confirm how many highrise buildings are unsafe and ministers are refusing to help with any funding for essential fire safety work in the blocks they do know are dangerous."

Housing Secretary Sajid Javid the government was “ready to provide whatever financial flexibility” was needed by councils to speed up refurbishment.

Grenfell victims' families stage vigil on steps of St Paul's Cathedral after memorial service


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