Government pledge support to residents at Churchmans House

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Building Safety and Homelessness, Rushanara Ali has responded to calls made in a letter to the government from Ipswich MP Jack Abbott about Churchmans House.

The MP recently urged the government to fund remediation works and protect leaseholders.

As a result, Churchmans House is eligible for funding to remediate all necessary works identified in the Fire Risk Assessment of External Walls.

Churchmans House in Ipswich (Image: Google Maps)

This has meant the cost of work doesn't fall on the leaseholders of the building with "no contribution" sought from residents.

The announcement has been welcomed by residents group at Churchmans House and called a "step in the right direction".

Chu Man is from the residents management group. (Image: Ipswich Labour)

Chu Man from the Churchmans House Residents Management Company, added: "It's a step forward, but there is still a load of things we have to do internally.

"For the external works it probably takes us about 30% of the way in to the problem, so there is still a lot of work to be done.

"We do need more support from the government and need a liberal streamlining in terms of process to try and avoid going down the legal route because that costs money.

"The building owners should be held accountable but they are not in a position to do that.

"All this could have been avoided if corners weren't cut when it was converted from offices into housing.

"This has been an ongoing process since 2021, and I expect work on the building won't actually begin until at least summer of 2025.

"The news is an important milestone of progress, however, this is the first big step forwards.

"It is welcome that the costs of cladding remediation will not fall onto leaseholders, but they must do more to help avoid leaseholders having to resort to expensive legal action to make those who are liable to pay.

"There is still so much progress to be made, and so many questions left unanswered, as the Government grapples with the decades of institutional failure that led to this crisis.

"None of this is straightforward, but it is a step in the right direction for residents and leaseholders.

"My thanks go to Mr Abbott for helping to push the Government in the right direction."

Jack Abbott, MP for Ipswich, said: "I am pleased that the Minister has now confirmed with me that Churchmans House is fully eligible for government funding to fix external cladding, and that extra pre-tender support payment will be made available.

"This is a crucial step forward for leaseholders at Churchmans House, who today are a step closer to justice and normality.

Jack Abbott, MP for Ipswich (Image: Roger Harris/House of Commons)

"The Minister has assured me that the cost of remediation will not fall on the leaseholders - this is a welcome promise.

"There is still progress to be made on this issue, and it must be ensured that those responsible for the building safety crisis are held accountable.

"I will continue to work proactively and constructively with local residents and the Government to ensure the pledges made in the wake of the Grenfell Inquiry are practicably enforced as swiftly as possible."(Image: Ipswich Labour)

Churchmans House is among a number of property developments in Ipswich impacted by cladding.

Last week this paper reported the latest for St Francis Tower residents who have been living away from their homes for more than a year.

Those in temporary accommodation have been asked to leave their current premises by October 5 and face further costs after being asked to pay the deposit on the next property.

James Storer, a resident of the flat claims that in the options provided to them for new accommodation, the deposit ranges between £980 and £1,384.