From BBC News @ BBC.co.uk
Labour’s housing minister has called on the Government to fund Croydon Council’s “essential” project to install sprinklers in the borough’s tallest buildings.
Sarah Jones, MP for Croydon Central, launched a national campaign calling on the Government to deliver funding promised to councils in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire.
More than 740 flats have been successfully retrofitted with sprinkler systems so far in Croydon as part of an installation programme for the council’s 25 tallest blocks and one eight-storey sheltered housing block.
Croydon Council has requested a Government contribution to its sprinkler programme three times, all of which have been rejected. The council has allocated £10m upfront from its housing maintenance budget.
Ms Jones said: “It’s unacceptable that more than a year after the Grenfell tragedy, the Government are withholding the support they promised to councils for essential fire safety works.”
