Four tower blocks in Lambeth failed cladding safety tests after councils around the country were forced to conduct tests after Grenfell.

This comes after Lambeth Council sent samples for testing from all 31 of its blocks which are fully or partially clad and more than six storeys high.

One of the blocks which failed the test  is owned by Lambeth Council, while three of the blocks are owned and managed by Network Homes, Lambeth Council communications manager Michael Stringer told the News Shopper.

“There was one of our blocks that failed the cladding safety tests – limited to the internal stairwells in Southwyck House in Brixton. That cladding has been removed. There were three other buildings identified in testing, all of which are owned and managed by Network Homes,” he said.

“We have also carried out more intrusive Fire Risk Assessments in all our high priority blocks (e.g. High rise, Sheltered accommodation), this process is complete. Alongside these, there are numerous fire safety actions being carried out such as replacing fire doors etc,” he added.

The council spent £3.1 million in cladding testing and removal and other associated work as a response to the Grenfell fire, according to council documents.

Council leader Lib Peck had previously called on central government to cover these costs.

In a letter to Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, she said: “With the costs of cladding removals and reinstatement, plus actions taken to mitigate Fire Risk and provide greater assurances to residents who have also been scared at the often sensationalist media reporting, Lambeth is incurring significant costs. This is work that has been carried out as a result of DCLG guidance and in collaboration with the Fire Brigade following Grenfell, and as such I believe the costs associated should be met by central government.”

Mr Stringer said there had been no clarification from government around costs yet.