Shabana has written to Birmingham City Council calling on them to block new contracts with businesses responsible for cladding scandal failures.

Developers and construction companies have refused to take responsibility for their role in the cladding scandal, which has left leaseholders across the country trapped in properties clad in flammable materials with mounting costs to cover remediation.

An issue that is yet to be addressed by the Government relates to the responsibilities and liabilities of companies involved in the construction of buildings containing combustible cladding and containing fire safety defects.

In her letter to Councillor Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, Shabana suggests that where there is a demonstrable link between a construction company and a building affected by the cladding scandal, and where there is no constructive engagement on liabilities and remediation, Birmingham City Council should refuse to do further business with them.

A similar letter has been sent to Andy Street, West Midlands Mayor, asking him to commit the West Midlands Combined Authority to similar action.

You can read the letter in full below.

Letter to Birmingham City Council

Dear Ian

I am writing regarding the plight of residents in Birmingham affected by the cladding scandal.

You and I are both aware of the issues surrounding the cladding scandal and how they impact leaseholders in my constituency and across Birmingham.

An issue that is yet to be addressed by the Government relates to the responsibilities and liabilities of companies involved in the construction of buildings that are clad in combustible materials or that contain serious fire safety defects. My constituents inform me that in the arduous process of bringing their buildings up to appropriate standards on fire safety, they have found that developers and construction companies have taken zero responsibility for their role in the scandal.

I personally believe that any company that has been involved in the development of a building with unsafe cladding, that has not borne interim costs faced by leaseholders or contributed towards remediation, should not be awarded any regeneration projects funded by public finances.

Locally, there is a clear way forward. Where there is a demonstrable link between a construction company and a building affected by the cladding scandal, and where there is no constructive engagement on liabilities and remediation, Birmingham City Council should refuse to do further business with them, preventing them from bidding on construction contracts for Council projects.

This will send a clear signal to such businesses that we stand firmly behind leaseholders, and that our city will not accept partnerships with those who neglect their responsibilities when it comes to safety.

Will you bring forward proposals to hold construction companies responsible for their failures in the cladding scandal?

Yours sincerely

Shabana Mahmood MP

Birmingham Ladywood