Nearly a decade after Grenfell, cladding remediation continues. This 2026 update covers the latest funding schemes, legal developments, and practical remediation guidance for UK building owners.. The State of Cladding Remediation in 2026 Almost nine years after the Grenfell Tower tragedy, cladding remediation remains the largest building safety programme in UK history. Significant progress has been made, but thousands of buildings still require remediation works. Progress Dashboard (2026) ACM cladding : 98% of identified buildings remediated or in progress Non ACM unsafe cladding : Approximately 60% of identified buildings remediated Building Safety Fund : £5.1 billion committed, approximately £3.2 billion spent Cladding Safety Scheme : Processing applications for 11 18m buildings Developer Remediation Contract : Over 50 developers signed up Funding Landscape Building Safety Fund (BSF) Covers remediation of unsafe non ACM cladding on buildings 18m+ Government funded (no cost to leaseholders) Applications closed but extensions for specific building types Managed by Homes England Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS) For buildings 11 18m with unsafe cladding Government funded remediation Phased rollout across England Managed by Homes England Developer Remediation Contract Developers responsible for buildings they constructed Self funded remediation (no government funding required) 48 developers signed as of 2026 Legal enforcement for non signatories Remediation Orders and Contribution Orders First tier Tribunal can make Remediation Orders Remediation Contribution Orders against landlords, developers, and associated entities Building Liability Orders extending liability through corporate structures County Court enforcement available The EWS1 Process in 2026 Current Status EWS1 form still required for buildings with cladding concerns RICS and industry reviewing the process for 2026/2027 Digital EWS1 process in development Valuers increasingly accepting alternative evidence Form Completion A1 : No combustible cladding present — no further action A2 : Combustible cladding present but poses no risk — no further action A3 : Combustible cladding present — further investigation required B1 : Fire risk adequately managed through interim measures — lending possible B2 : Remediation required — lending restricted Challenges Shortage of qualified EWS1 assessors Cost of assessments (£5,000 £50,000+ per building) Insurance availability for assessors Inconsistency in assessment outcomes Practical Remediation Guidance PAS 9980:2022 Fire risk appraisal of external wall construction: Provides methodology for assessing risk of existing walls Not all combustible cladding requires removal Risk based approach considering fire exposure, consequences, and mitigation Competent assessor requirements Remediation Options 1. Full removal and replacement — replace with non combustible materials 2. Partial remediation with mitigation — address highest risk areas with additional fire safety measures 3. Overcladding — new non combustible rainscreen over existing (structural assessment required) 4. Fire engineering assessment — demonstrate acceptable safety with existing cladding plus additional measures Interim Measures While awaiting remediation: Waking watch or common fire alarm system Enhanced fire risk assessment Residents' fire safety information pack Combustible material restrictions on balconies External wall inspection regime Leaseholder Protections Building Safety Act Protections Leaseholders in buildings 11m+ protected from remediation costs for qualifying defects 'Relevant defect' definition covers original construction defects Developer and landlord contribution required before any leaseholder charges Service charge caps for non qualifying leaseholders Right to information about remediation progress Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD — UK's Leading Fire Safety & Fire Engineering Consultancy 🌐 magnus opifex.co.uk 📞 +44 (0) 20 3488 1926 ✉️ info@magnusopifex.co.uk Founded by Daniel Sheridan, Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD delivers award winning fire engineering, fire risk assessments, and building safety consultancy across the United Kingdom and internationally.