We, at Claddag, recently had a meeting with the engagement team of the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Despite assurances in January 2022, the Secretary of State is yet to meet us or with disabled people affected by the building safety crisis. We fear the Government is unprepared for the reality of howContinue reading “Government unprepared for impact of remediation works on disabled people”
Author Archives: claddag
Fundraising successful and court date set
Three months ago we launched a crowdfund appeal to help us raise funds to protect ourselves against adverse costs should our legal challenge against the Government over its failure to implement key Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations be unsuccessful. Last month, the court approved our application to proceed with the challenge but set the limit forContinue reading “Fundraising successful and court date set“
Court grants Claddag permission to apply for judicial review
Good news! Last week, the High Court gave us permission to apply for judicial review. This means that the judge considered that we have an arguable case and she considered that it should be brought before the court swiftly. We hope that the hearing will take take place before the end of the year. TheContinue reading “Court grants Claddag permission to apply for judicial review”
Emergency Evacuation Information Sharing consultation: a handy summary
The Emergency Evacuation Information Sharing consultation closes on 21 August 2022*. It’s important that disabled, Deaf and older residents have their voices heard. You can respond to the consultation via the Home Office survey or just email your views to FireSafetyUnitconsultations@homeoffice.gov.uk. We understand the documents are long, complicated and potentially upsetting to read, so we’veContinue reading “Emergency Evacuation Information Sharing consultation: a handy summary“
Support for our legal claim
Many supporters, disabled people and allies ask us how they can help and, specifically, if we need to raise funds. The time has come for the answer to be yes: we are crowdfunding to cover the Home Office’s legal fees if we lose our case. In support of disabled people’s right to escape their flatContinue reading “Support for our legal claim”
Inappropriateness of using Waking Watch for evacuation plans
We have heard several reports of waking watch (fire wardens) being put in place or retained for the supposed benefit of specific disabled residents’ or to guard against perceived leaseholder liability. This is troubling on many counts. The Government’s third, and most recent, consultation on disabled people and fire safety emphasises a degree of unreasonablenessContinue reading “Inappropriateness of using Waking Watch for evacuation plans”
Home Office workshops: Evacuation plans for disabled people and ‘information sharing’
The Government is hosting workshops as part of its Emergency Evacuation Information Sharing consultation. The consultation proposes scrapping the concept of mandatory evacuation plans for disabled people in blocks of flats, rejecting a key recommendation of the Grenfell Tower inquiry. The workshops are an opportunity for Home Office officials to explain the proposals and forContinue reading “Home Office workshops: Evacuation plans for disabled people and ‘information sharing’”
Disabled people, housing and fire consultations
We are conscious that there are several open consultations at the moment, related to disabled people, housing and fire. We’ve made a quick list below, including closing dates for responses, but please share with us any we have missed. Fire Safety London Plan Guidance Closes: 12 June 2022 Emergency Evacuation Information Sharing consultation Closes: 10Continue reading “Disabled people, housing and fire consultations”
Shameful Government u-turn on evacuation plans for disabled people
We are horrified and deeply dismayed by Lord Greenhalgh’s announcement that the Government does not agree that disabled people should have a right to a personal emergency evacuation plan. This follows a 9-month wait since the Government’s second consultation on the matter. It now proposes to launch a third one. It is unconscionable that theContinue reading “Shameful Government u-turn on evacuation plans for disabled people”
Home Office’s delay and disregard for PEEPs: Write to your MP
This week, another peer expressed their concern about the Home Office’s handling on personal emergency evacuation plans for disabled people. Baroness Grey-Thompson and Baroness Brinton proposed a series of amendments to the Building Safety Bill that would have added to the bill explicit references to the need to protect disabled people living in high-rise blocksContinue reading “Home Office’s delay and disregard for PEEPs: Write to your MP”
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