In yesterday's edition of the Government's daily
coronavirus briefing, Robert Jenrick MP (Secretary of State for
Housing, Communities and Local Government) relayed tales of how
some local authorities have been able to continue essential fire
safety work in the COVID-19 era in order to address defective and
dangerous cladding in their areas. He then went on to say:
"I would urge any building owner or contractor...as
soon as practicable, where it's safe, to begin work once
again."
If Mr Jenrick envisioned this statement as a call to arms for
the industry to remobilise in a flurry of activity, it is likely
that he will be disappointed.
The construction industry has been afforded the freedom to
continue work where it is safe to do so since the lockdown was
implemented. It is a freedom that the sector has done its best to
exploit where it can, with significant works continuing on a
variety of essential and less essential projects; lest we forget,
it was the
