More than half of Brits fear for high-rise safety – survey

A survey has found that 56% of people in Britain have doubts about the safety of high-rise homes that they live in.

The findings from SFG20, the industry standard for building maintenance, also found that another 42% believe local councils must urgently address these issues.

The anxiety follows attention on the government after the Grenfell Tower blaze, which sparked nationwide fears over structural soundness.

High-rise concerns

Jason Instrell, the industry lead at SFG20, said: “It is concerning to see the proportion of the British public concerned with the safety of high-rise residential buildings in their local area.

“Over the last decade, the UK has seen a string of events that have placed the maintenance of local infrastructure under a particularly intense spotlight, in particular the Grenfell Tower fire.”

He added: “The introduction of the Building Safety Act in 2022 saw stricter rules on the safety of buildings and it remains the UK government’s responsibility to ensure the public feels safe and educated about the maintenance of these buildings.”

Cladding crisis condemned

The survey comes just days after a blistering assessment of the cladding crisis by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) which

It condemned the government for its inability to fully understand the extent of dangerous structures, the remediation costs required or offer a practical schedule for addressing the issue.

Eight years on from the Grenfell Tower fire, the crisis is affecting around three million people.

The report highlights the emotional and financial toll of the situation on residents who fear they are trapped in unsafe homes which cannot be sold.

Building Safety Survey

The SFG20 Building Safety Survey also reveals that three in five people surveyed said that incidents like Grenfell have increased their worries – 21% have a ‘significantly increased’ level of worry.

Meanwhile, 41% lack confidence that tall residential structures in their area comply with modern safety regulations.

Residents in Belfast displayed the greatest scepticism, with 48% questioning whether local high-rises meet legal standards.

Also, nearly one in five (19%) expressed disquiet about the health and safety of their own homes, citing problems like mould, inadequate airflow and shaky foundations.