Gove to go after Grenfell cladding firms’ profits

Michael Gove is considering penalising companies linked to the Grenfell Tower tragedy, leaked government documents reveal. The firms have made pre-tax profits of at least £6.7bn in the four years since fire ripped through the block of flats, killing 72 people. The housing secretary has commissioned his officials to draw up a “detailed survey” of the profits made by the firms involved in the cladding scandal as he explores options for how to “hold these companies to account”. Leaked documents from his department reveal that Gove is preparing to target more than a dozen firms given “core participant” status in the Grenfell inquiry. The companies expected to be in the firing line include Kingspan, Studio E, Rydon, Max Fordham, Artelia UK, Witt UK PSB, JS Wright & Co, Harley Curtain Wall/Facades, Celotex, Arconic, and CEP. The government is also “looking very carefully” at amending building safety legislation in such a way as to force developers that breached building regulations to pay for fire safety remediation, as well as to support leaseholders in bringing legal challenges against specific companies. New taxes and levies have also not been ruled out. The Times (£) To send feedback, e-mail piers.wehner@eg.co.uk or tweet @PiersWehner or @EGPropertyNews