600 tower blocks may be fitted with the same combustable cladding as Grenfell Tower

Up to 600 other tower blocks in the UK are fitted with the same combustable cladding that was used on the Grenfell Tower, Theresa May confirmed this morning.

At least 79 people are dead and hundreds are now homeless after the devastating blaze tore through the high rise on 14 June.

Speaking in parliament, the Prime Minister said that tests were being carried out on ‘relevant’ blocks across the country to assess their safety. 100 blocks a day are being tested.

She said: ‘A number of these tests have come back as combustible.

‘The relevant local authorities and local fire services have been informed and as I speak they are taking all possible steps to ensure buildings are safe and to inform affected residents.’

Mrs May did not specify which blocks were affected. She said that communities secretary Sajid Javid would provide further details later.

The speed and severity of the Grenfell Tower blaze immediately raised questions about whether safety procedures had been followed when the building was renovated last year.

In particular the safety of the cladding used on the exterior of the flats came under scrutiny.

It emerged that the cladding used had a plastic core, instead of a fireproof alternative.

For just £5,000 more, fire-resistant panels could have been used on the building.

Eyewitnesses said that the tower ‘went up like a matchstick’.

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The Prime Minister yesterday apologised to the state’s failings over the tragedy in West Kensington.

Speaking at the Queen’s Speech debate in the House of Commons, she said: ‘Let me be absolutely clear – the support for the families on the ground in the initial hours was not good enough.

‘People were left without belongings, without roofs over their heads, without even basic information about what had happened, what they should do and where they should go to seek help.

‘That was a failure of the state, local and national, to help people when they needed it most.

‘As Prime Minister, I apologise for that failure.

‘As Prime Minister I have taken responsibility for doing what we can to put things right.

‘That is why each family whose home was destroyed is receiving a down payment from the emergency fund so they can buy food, clothes and other essentials.

‘And all those who have lose their homes will be rehoused within three weeks.’