Baratt hit by £70m bill for structural defects at eight tower blocks

Families have been forced to leave their homes to make room for repair work after housebuilder Barratt Developments discovered structural weaknesses in eight of its tower blocks. Occupiers have been forced to move away from some properties as the problems are fixed, with Barratt facing a £70m bill. The company blamed the problems on a subcontractor. It is still investigating a further 11 sites. Chief executive David Thomas said families’ safety has not been put at risk by the defects