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| Grenfell Tower: Cladding 'changed to cheaper version' | Grenfell Tower: Cladding 'changed to cheaper version' |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Cladding fitted to Grenfell Tower during its refurbishment was changed to a cheaper version, documents obtained by the BBC suggest. | Cladding fitted to Grenfell Tower during its refurbishment was changed to a cheaper version, documents obtained by the BBC suggest. |
| Documents show the aluminium cladding was less fire-resistant than a zinc alternative, saving nearly £300,000. | |
| The cladding - fitted as part of the refurbishment of the west London tower - is thought to have contributed to the fire that killed at least 80 people. | The cladding - fitted as part of the refurbishment of the west London tower - is thought to have contributed to the fire that killed at least 80 people. |
| There is no suggestion a deliberate decision was made to cut fire safety. | There is no suggestion a deliberate decision was made to cut fire safety. |
| It comes as Kensington and Chelsea council's first cabinet meeting since the disaster was adjourned after just 20 minutes on Thursday - after the council was forced by a court order to admit the press and public. | |
| The council halted the meeting, claiming it would "prejudice" the forthcoming public inquiry. | |
| London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the council's decision "beggars belief". | |
| Failed safety tests | Failed safety tests |
| The documents obtained by the BBC reveal contractors working for Kensington and Chelsea Council were asked in 2014 to replace zinc cladding with a more economical aluminium version. | |
| One is a list of requested savings sent to contractors in July 2014, including £293,368 that would be saved by fitting "aluminium cladding in lieu of zinc cladding". | |
| The switch allowed for a change of colour, but the BBC has been told another key reason was to save money. | The switch allowed for a change of colour, but the BBC has been told another key reason was to save money. |
| Earlier planning documents suggest the original plan was for zinc cladding with a fire-retardant core. | Earlier planning documents suggest the original plan was for zinc cladding with a fire-retardant core. |
| Residents had also been told their new cladding would be made of zinc. Both types of cladding have the same official fire rating. | |
| Police investigating the disaster have said the tower's cladding has subsequently failed safety tests. | |
| Constant pressure | |
| The savings were part of an ongoing effort by the council and the local tenant management organisation to drive down the cost of the £10m refurbishment. | The savings were part of an ongoing effort by the council and the local tenant management organisation to drive down the cost of the £10m refurbishment. |
| A source close to one of the many companies involved in the project said the change was typical of constant pressure by councils to reduce the costs of building refurbishments. | A source close to one of the many companies involved in the project said the change was typical of constant pressure by councils to reduce the costs of building refurbishments. |
| Council minutes from 2013 show dissatisfaction with the initially-preferred contractor for not keeping the scheme within budget. | Council minutes from 2013 show dissatisfaction with the initially-preferred contractor for not keeping the scheme within budget. |
| Further bids were invited, and this led to the appointment of a different contractor in 2014 which was then asked to make savings including on the cladding. | Further bids were invited, and this led to the appointment of a different contractor in 2014 which was then asked to make savings including on the cladding. |
| The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has promised to co-operate fully with all investigations into the fire. | The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has promised to co-operate fully with all investigations into the fire. |