Addressing the Cladding and Building Safety Crisis in Stratford and Bow

The Issue in Stratford and Bow

Seven years after the Grenfell Tower tragedy, too many residents in Stratford and Bow are still living in fear. As one of the areas with the highest number of high-rise blocks with unsafe cladding in the country, the crisis has left many of you living in unsafe homes, with unresponsive management companies, and spiraling costs from higher insurance premiums and service charges.

The emotional and financial toll of being trapped in a home you cannot sell is immense, and the pace of remediation has been far too slow.

What I’ve Been Doing Locally

As your MP, I have been working tirelessly to address the cladding and building safety crisis to ensure your voices are heard:

  • Advocating for Residents
    I’ve met with CEOs of housing associations and raised concerns about the delays and lack of communication from management companies. These conversations are always ongoing, and I will continue to push for better responses and faster progress.

  • Pushing for Accountability
    I joined 34 Labour MPs demanding that FirstPort, the UK’s largest managing agent, appear before Parliament to answer for their actions. Exploiting leaseholders with high fees for poor services is unacceptable, and I am determined to hold them accountable.

  • Hosting Coffee Mornings
    To hear directly from you, I’ve started a series of coffee mornings across the constituency for residents affected by cladding and fire safety issues. This brings together the housing associations and residents into one room for an opportunity to raise concerns. The first session is due to take place at the end of November in Tower Hamlets.

What I’ve Been Doing in Parliament

In Parliament, I have:

  • Spoken Out in Debates
    I’ve highlighted the slow pace of remediation, the mental strain on residents, and the urgent need for action in debates and direct discussions with Ministers.

  • Raised Concerns with Government
    I’ve tabled Parliamentary questions about the impact of the building safety crisis, including stamp duty relief for affected residents unable to sell their homes. I’ve also written to the Minister responsible for building safety, demanding transparent and timely action.

How Labour is Supporting Safer Homes

The new Labour Government is committed to ensuring every home is safe. Key steps include:

  • Accelerating Remediation
    Labour is investing in faster remediation work to remove unsafe cladding and address fire safety risks.

  • Reforming Building Safety Standards
    Labour’s plans include stronger regulations to hold developers and management companies accountable.

  • Supporting Affected Residents
    Policies like providing financial relief for leaseholders and ensuring fair treatment by insurers and service providers are a priority.

These measures are a significant step forward, but I know there is much more to do.

Have Your Say

Your experiences and insights are crucial. If you’ve been affected by the cladding and building safety crisis, I want to hear from you. Please:

  • Attend my coffee mornings to share your concerns in person.

  • Contact my office directly if you need assistance or have specific questions.

Together, we can push for the action and accountability needed to ensure safe homes for everyone in Stratford and Bow.