This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40366646

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Grenfell Tower: Similar cladding used in around 600 high rises Grenfell Tower: Fire-risk tests on cladding on '600 high rises'
(about 2 hours later)
Around 600 high rises across England are using similar cladding to Grenfell Tower, Downing Street estimates. Tests are to be carried out on about 600 high rises across England to see if cladding fitted to the outside is safe, the government has said.
Tower blocks across the UK are being examined after the London blaze, which left 79 people dead or missing, presumed dead. So far, samples from three tower blocks - one in London and two thought to be outside - were found to be combustible.
Three samples have been shown to be "combustible" and more results will be made public in the next 48 hours. More test results are expected to be made public within days.
A No 10 spokeswoman said it was a "matter of absolute urgency" to tell residents. Cladding is thought to have contributed to the rapid spread of fire at Grenfell Tower, in which at least 79 people are believed to have died.
Theresa May said all local authorities responsible for the flats had been told. Prime Minister Theresa May said all local authorities responsible for the flats had been told.
The announcement comes after the boss of Kensington and Chelsea Council resigned after criticism of the London authority's response. The announcement comes after the boss of Kensington and Chelsea Council resigned following criticism of the authority's response to the disaster.
Speaking in the Commons, Mrs May said that the council "couldn't cope" in the aftermath of the fire, and that it "was right" its chief executive, Nicholas Holgate, had stepped down. Speaking in the Commons, Mrs May said the council "couldn't cope" in the aftermath of the fire, and that it "was right" its chief executive, Nicholas Holgate, had stepped down.
Councils were told to give details to the government about the cladding they used in the tower blocks by Monday. In the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, councils were told to give details to the government about cladding used in their tower blocks by 20 June.
The Department for Communities and Local Government is then co-ordinating tests on it - with up to 100 able to take place in a day. Cladding is typically fitted to the outside of high-rise buildings to improve insulation and tidy up the appearance of often ugly blocks.
A spokeswoman from Downing Street said: "So far, three samples have been found to be combustible. The Department for Communities and Local Government is now co-ordinating tests on it - with up to 100 able to take place in a day.
"We are in touch with all the local authorities to encourage them to urgently send us the samples and then we will carry out the checks that we need to see where we are with that." A Downing Street spokeswoman said nobody would be left to live in unsafe buildings.
She added: "Obviously nobody will be living in buildings that are unsafe. They will be rehoused if they need to be and landlords will be asked to provide alternative accommodation where that's possible." "They will be rehoused if they need to be and landlords will be asked to provide alternative accommodation where that's possible," she said.
Camden Council confirmed that cladding used on its Chalcots estate would be removed after safety tests. Earlier, there had been some confusion after Downing Street said 600 tower blocks had "similar cladding" to Grenfell Tower.
Councillor Georgia Gould, leader of the council, said: "The new results from the laboratory show that the outer cladding panels themselves are made up of aluminium panels with a polyethylene core. The Department for Communities and Local Government later clarified that the figure of 600 referred to the number of buildings with cladding of any kind.
"Therefore, the panels that were fitted were not to the standard that we had commissioned. In light of this, we will be informing the contractor that we will be taking urgent legal advice." Camden Council, in north London, confirmed that cladding used on its Chalcots estate would be removed after safety tests.
The cladding was made up of "aluminium panels with a polyethylene core", said council leader Georgia Gould, and therefore were "not to the standard" that the council had commissioned.
She said the council would inform the contractor behind the work that they would be taking legal advice.
Residents' fears in Tottenham high riseResidents' fears in Tottenham high rise
By Jim Reed, BBC Victoria Derbyshire programmeBy Jim Reed, BBC Victoria Derbyshire programme
Residents at a 22-storey block of flats in Tottenham, north London, have been sent an email - seen by the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme - saying the building has the same cladding as Grenfell Tower.Residents at a 22-storey block of flats in Tottenham, north London, have been sent an email - seen by the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme - saying the building has the same cladding as Grenfell Tower.
Rivers Apartments - which is shared ownership, so classed as social housing - was built just two years ago, with the cladding incorporated as part of the design.Rivers Apartments - which is shared ownership, so classed as social housing - was built just two years ago, with the cladding incorporated as part of the design.
It is understood the block is clad in Reynobond PE, the same brand of cladding believed to have been used on Grenfell Tower.It is understood the block is clad in Reynobond PE, the same brand of cladding believed to have been used on Grenfell Tower.
The programme was told the tower passed all building regulation checks by Haringey Council.The programme was told the tower passed all building regulation checks by Haringey Council.
Unlike Grenfell Tower, this block does contain modern safety features, such as a sprinkler system.Unlike Grenfell Tower, this block does contain modern safety features, such as a sprinkler system.
Newlon Housing Trust, the housing association that part-owns the block, said it had arranged with the fire service to carry out more checks.Newlon Housing Trust, the housing association that part-owns the block, said it had arranged with the fire service to carry out more checks.
It is still waiting for final test results to confirm it is the most flammable type of cladding.It is still waiting for final test results to confirm it is the most flammable type of cladding.
It says the cladding on the building may have to be replaced.It says the cladding on the building may have to be replaced.
More than £700,000 has been paid out to survivors of the 14 June fire and Mrs May said she wanted to reassure them that no money would have to be repaid.More than £700,000 has been paid out to survivors of the 14 June fire and Mrs May said she wanted to reassure them that no money would have to be repaid.
She also said resources would be available to everyone affected by the fire, regardless of their immigration status. She said resources would be available to everyone affected by the fire, regardless of their immigration status.
"I would like to reassure people that we will not use this tragic incident as a reason to carry out immigration checks on those involved or on those providing information to identify victims or those assisting with the criminal investigation," said Mrs May."I would like to reassure people that we will not use this tragic incident as a reason to carry out immigration checks on those involved or on those providing information to identify victims or those assisting with the criminal investigation," said Mrs May.
"We will make sure that all victims, irrespective of their immigration status, will be able to access the services they need, including healthcare and accommodation.""We will make sure that all victims, irrespective of their immigration status, will be able to access the services they need, including healthcare and accommodation."
Later, Communities Secretary Sajid Javid called for "a change in attitude" and approach towards social housing and its tenants.
He said: "We don't yet know for sure whether this disaster could have been avoided if the people who called Grenfell Tower their home had been listened to.
"But we do know that for far too long, that their voices fell on deaf ears, so if nothing else, let the legacy of Grenfell be that such voices will never, ever be ignored again."
'Nowhere to hide''Nowhere to hide'
Replying to Mrs May's statement, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said Grenfell Tower residents were "let down - both in the immediate aftermath and so cruelly beforehand".Replying to Mrs May's statement, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said Grenfell Tower residents were "let down - both in the immediate aftermath and so cruelly beforehand".
He said: "At least 79 people are dead - it is both a tragedy and an outrage because every single one of those deaths could and should have been avoided."He said: "At least 79 people are dead - it is both a tragedy and an outrage because every single one of those deaths could and should have been avoided."
Mrs May said she expected to name the judge who will lead the inquiry within the next few days. Mrs May said she expected to name the judge who will lead a public inquiry into the fire within the next few days.
"We want to ensure when the judge takes charge, people feel they can have full confidence in the inquiry," she said."We want to ensure when the judge takes charge, people feel they can have full confidence in the inquiry," she said.
"No stone will be left unturned. For any guilty parties there will be nowhere to hide.""No stone will be left unturned. For any guilty parties there will be nowhere to hide."
The fire destroyed 151 homes - most in the tower block itself, but also a number of surrounding properties.The fire destroyed 151 homes - most in the tower block itself, but also a number of surrounding properties.
Mrs May said that 164 "suitable properties" had now been found for those made homeless, and they were in the process of being checked before residents can move in.Mrs May said that 164 "suitable properties" had now been found for those made homeless, and they were in the process of being checked before residents can move in.
The new properties include a block of 68 flats in Kensington and Chelsea, sold to the government by the developer at cost price. The new properties include a block of 68 flats in Kensington, bought by the City of London Corporation and allocated to Kensington and Chelsea Council.
On Wednesday, the PM apologised for "state" failures following the Grenfell blaze. Later that day, Kensington and Chelsea Council confirmed that Mr Holgate was resigning.On Wednesday, the PM apologised for "state" failures following the Grenfell blaze. Later that day, Kensington and Chelsea Council confirmed that Mr Holgate was resigning.
In a statement, he said that Mr Javid had asked him to go, adding that his continued presence would be a "distraction" - DCLG denies this.In a statement, he said that Mr Javid had asked him to go, adding that his continued presence would be a "distraction" - DCLG denies this.
NHS England said that 10 patients across four London hospitals are still receiving care following the fire in West Kensington. Five of them are in critical care.NHS England said that 10 patients across four London hospitals are still receiving care following the fire in West Kensington. Five of them are in critical care.
One of the hospitals which has looked after patients, King's College Hospital, confirmed it had treated three people with an antidote to cyanide poisoning - although it did not confirm whether they were given it as a precautionary measure.One of the hospitals which has looked after patients, King's College Hospital, confirmed it had treated three people with an antidote to cyanide poisoning - although it did not confirm whether they were given it as a precautionary measure.
Get news from the BBC in your inbox, each weekday morningGet news from the BBC in your inbox, each weekday morning