Approximately 60 building owners and property developers have been told by Communities Secretary James Brokenshire they will be fined unless they remove unsafe cladding from buildings.

In a letter to a number of firms including Lendlease, Pemberstone, Paddington Development Corporation and GLA Land & Property, Mr Brokenshire said enforcement action such as financial penalties and restriction of access to other government schemes will be carried out unless urgent steps are taken to replace flammable ACM cladding on buildings.

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He said: "There is a moral imperative for private sector landlords to do the right thing and remove unsafe cladding quickly, and not leave leaseholders to cover the cost.

"A number of leading developers have stepped up to the mark and agreed to pay for work, and we urge others to follow their lead. If they don't, we have not ruled anything out.

"I am also warning those who are not acting quickly enough to put in plans to remove dangerous cladding to take action now, or face enforcement action from their council."

So far this year, 293 private sector residential buildings had been identified as having ACM cladding systems unlikely to meet current building regulations guidance.

(LM)