Published June 11, 2018
Secretary of State for Housing James Brokenshire has vowed to bring those responsible for the Grenfell Tower tragedy to justice.
He insists the government will pursue justice, whilst supporting victims of the tragedy and working to ensure it never happens again.
Speaking on the first anniversary of the disaster, which saw the greatest loss of life in a residential fire since the Second World War, he committed a further £34 million of government cash to help meet rehousing costs and deliver mental health services and improvements to the Lancaster West Estate.
The Government have already committed £46 million in the aftermath of Grenfell but displaced people are still being housed in temporary accomodation and the inqury into the disaster has only just begun.
Mr Brokenshire, said: “Mr Speaker, I would like to make a statement on the government’s response to the Grenfell Tower fire, meeting our commitment to update the House following the Opposition Day debate on the 16th of May.
“As we mark a year since that tragedy, this will be an extremely painful time for the community. Many honourable members provided powerful and poignant contributions in the e-petition and Opposition Day debates last month. And I know that the whole House will join me in sending the bereaved and survivors our love and prayers.
“Mr Speaker, the 14th of June 2017 saw the greatest loss of life in a residential fire since the Second World War. 71 people lost their lives on the night of the fire and a former tower resident who was rescued from the 19th floor passed away earlier this year.
“The start of the public inquiry was a timely reminder of that terrible human cost. A baby who never lived to learn how much he was loved. Three generations of a family wiped out. Heroes who died saving others.
Nobody could fail to be moved by the extraordinary tributes paid by family and friends to the loved ones they lost.
“By their courage and dignity in the face of unimaginable loss. And, yes, by their anger too.
“A catastrophe of this kind should never have happened in the UK in 2017. And when it did, the initial response was not good enough.
“Nothing can undo the anguish and devastation this has caused.
“But, as the Prime Minister has said, we can and must do right by the memory of those who lost their lives – and those left behind.
“To support those affected. To secure justice. And, above all, to ensure that nothing like this can ever happen again.”
Mr Brokenshire, Member of Parliament for Old Bexley & Sidcup, told the House that the government had been working to find new homes for the victims of the disaster and of the 203 households needing new homes 134 had now moved in.
But he stressed that 43 households were still living in hotels, some 12 months after the disaster.
He added: “Mr Speaker, this is not where any of us wanted to be a year on from the fire. While there has been progress in recent weeks, overall the pace has been too slow.
“My department and the Independent Taskforce are continuing to provide scrutiny and challenge to the council and we have provided additional resources directly to the council to help them speed up this work. We will not rest until everyone is settled into new homes.”
Mr Brokenshire insists the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and Metropolitan Police investigations will ensure justice is finally served this happens. And he insists his department has been working fire and rescue services, local authorities and landlords.
He reminded the House of the Prime Minister’s pledge last month that the government will fully fund the removal and replacement of potentially dangerous ACM cladding on buildings over 18 metres owned by social landlords, with costs estimated at £400 million. He urged the private sector to follow.
* Read his statement in full by clicking this link
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