Minutes of the government's structural stability working group revealed that experts warned Whitehall officials in 2022 that "buildings which were supposed to have undergone remedial work in previous decades have not been remediated", and there were "consequential safety implications for such buildings".
They also warned in December 2021: "Many structural defects are hidden from view" and the "market is not responding in the way we would wish, prioritising profit over safety".
The warnings emerged after hundreds of families were evacuated from Barton House, a 15-storey tower block in Bristol, over fears an explosion could pose "risk to the structure", which is made from a large panel system (LPS).
Tenants and campaigners estimate there are about 575 LPS tower blocks still standing after construction mostly in the 1950s and 60s.
Concern for their safety has simmered for decades after a gas explosion caused the partial collapse of Ronan Point in east London in 1968, killing four people.
When the panels are poorly assembled, gas blasts, fire or even strong winds can threaten their integrity.
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