UK Contractors Escape Liability Post-Grenfell

Seven years after the Grenfell Tower blaze revealed widespread use of flammable cladding in UK public housing, a Reuters review shows that contractors responsible for the unsafe materials have largely evaded financial liability. The government initially pledged that these contractors would be held accountable, but only a small percentage of the costs for replacing the hazardous cladding has been recovered, with only five of 26 housing owners seeking compensation. While the government provided funds for remediation, it has inadvertently discouraged legal actions against contractors since any recovered costs would revert to the government. This situation leaves public safety and accountability unresolved, as many buildings remain clad in non-compliant materials. The cladding crisis highlights ongoing challenges in ensuring fire safety compliance across the UK housing sector.