UK to pay $4.8 bln more to remove unsafe cladding after Grenfell

Britain said on Wednesday it would give an additional 3.5 billion pounds ($4.8 billion) to remove dangerous cladding on high-rise residential buildings, more than three years after the deadly Grenfell Tower fire in London.

"This means the government is providing more than 5 billion pounds including a further 3.5 billion pounds announced today," Housing minister Robert Jenrick told parliament.

He said the funds would go towards the removal and replacement of unsafe cladding for all leaseholders in high rise residential buildings of 18 metres or above. ($1 = 0.7230 pounds)