The government has announced that it will cover the costs of replacing dangerous cladding on a block of flats in Ipswich, offering much-needed relief to the residents.

The 29 leaseholders of Churchmans House on Portman Road have been informed that the building qualifies for financial support under the Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS), a major step forward in ensuring the safety of the building's external walls.

The news follows a call by Ipswich MP Jack Abbott, urging the Labour government to take action to fund the remediation works and protect the leaseholders. Abbott has been a vocal advocate for addressing safety concerns at Churchmans House and other similar properties.

However, while the cladding removal will be funded, issues related to construction defects and a lack of fire barriers inside the building remain unresolved. A report earlier this year found that the building's fire risk was "high and not tolerable."

The report, prepared by Cowan Architects in March, raised significant concerns beyond the combustible cladding, including a lack of fire protection around the building's structural steelwork and missing cavity barriers. These deficiencies increase the risk of fire or smoke spreading undetected through the voids behind windows and cladding.

Chu Man, a representative from the Churchmans House Residents Management Company, welcomed the government's decision, calling it "an important milestone."

He stated: "After years of uncertainty, it is great news the government will make funding available for external walls, part of the remediation work at Churchmans, the cost of which will not fall onto leaseholders."

Churchmans House, a former cigarette factory, was converted into residential flats by the same developers responsible for the controversial Cardinal Lofts development.

MP Jack Abbott expressed his satisfaction with the government's decision, saying: "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.

“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."

The minister also confirmed that no contribution would be required from leaseholders for the eligible cladding remediation work, a key reassurance for the affected residents.

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