Recommendation 12

The Department understands there are around 40,000 care homes, sheltered homes, and hospitals (i.e. buildings with residents who might need significant assistance to evacuate) below 18 metres in England, of which 98% are below 11 metres (less than four storeys).40 That 2% are above four storeys would still equate to around 800 care homes, sheltered homes, and hospitals between 11 and 18 metres in height. The Department said that in its data collection exercise on buildings in this height range it was “going to look at sampling in key areas where we know there are particular types of building”, but did not explicitly say it would prioritise buildings with elderly or vulnerable residents. Neither did the Department suggest it was seeking to identify how many of the approximately 39,200 low-rise care homes, sheltered homes, and hospitals have dangerous cladding on them.41 31 C&AG’s Report, para 1.20 32 Q 64 33 C&AG’s Report, para 2.21 34 Q 64 35 Qq 145, 146 36 Qq 101–3, 110 37 Q 128 38 Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, Advice for Building Owners of Multi-storey, Multi- occupied Residential Buildings, January 2020. 39 Q 109; C&AG’s Report, para 2.8 40 Q 109 41 Qq 108–11 12 Progress in remediating dangerous cladding 2 Issues beyond remediation Emotional and financial impact on residents