Grenfell: May calls for ‘major national investigation’ into use of cladding

The use of non-flame retardant cladding on tower blocks will be part of a ‘major national investigation’ – possibly attached to the Grenfell Tower fire inquiry – reports have claimed.

Prime minister Theresa May made the comments after the cabinet was informed by Communities secretary Sajid Javid that the number of towers which had failed fire safety tests on cladding was now 95 blocks – all of those tested so far.

The study of cladding has taken place across 32 local authority areas, and as a result of the findings and other fears, hospitals and schools may now also assess their cladding where concerns have arisen, Javid said.

Although May has not detailed the precise scope of the national investigation into cladding, it is believed that the study could form a second phase to the judge-led Grenfell Tower inquiry.

A spokesperson for the prime minister said it was “clear that everybody is concerned about this and everybody wants to establish what went wrong.”

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