<p><span>The housing secretary and local leaders have pledged to continue removing unsafe cladding on high rise buildings during the coronavirus crisis, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has announced.</span><span></span></p> <p><span>Alongside the housing secretary Robert Jenrick, the mayors of Greater Manchester, Sheffield City region, London, Liverpool City region and West Midlands have committed to ensuring this essential safety work carries on, “where necessary social distancing rules are being followed”.</span><span></span></p> <p><span>The pledge involves a commitment to improving the safety of high rise residential blocks while ensuring site workers get clear information and support to keep themselves safe while limiting the spread of the virus.</span><span></span></p> <p><span>MHCLG claimed that a “number of sites” across the country had been demonstrating safe working practices, including having decontamination areas on site allowing workers to hose down overalls before safe disposal, and dispersing work teams to help lower the risk of infection.</span><span></span></p> <p><span>The government also said it had appointed construction consultant Faithful &amp; Gould to advise on planning and undertaking ACM (aluminium composite material) cladding remediation work. This includes increasing awareness of safe practices according to current restrictions, MHCLG said.</span><span></span></p> <p><span>Jenrick commented: “The government is bringing about the biggest change in building safety in a …