A NEW government fund to replace flammable panels on privately owned tower blocks has been branded a “cladding lottery” that leaves many tenants “helpless” by campaigners.

Tory Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary James Brokenshire unveiled a £200 million refurbishment pot today, nearly two years after the Grenfell blaze claimed 72 lives.

He said the fund will cover the replacement of aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding, the same type used at Grenfell, on 166 tower blocks across Britain.