Cladding: 'We're paying to live in a dark, dull box'

A resident in a Birmingham tower block that is having combustible cladding removed, in the wake of the Grenfell disaster, explains his plight.

Leaseholder Jim Illingworth is glad that the government is covering most, but not all, of the cost to remove the dangerous cladding. Leaseholders still face an estimate bill of up to £1 million, Sarah Corker reports.

In response to our report a spokesperson for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said: "It is unacceptable and unfair that leaseholders are facing bills of this kind through no fault of their own. Everyone should be safe in their homes - and building owners and industry must make buildings safe without passing on costs to leaseholders.

"The new Secretary of State is looking afresh at work in this area to ensure we are doing everything we can to protect and support leaseholders."