Parliamentary activity

Answering body: Cabinet Office

As part of the Government transparency agenda, it is a legal requirement for central Government Departments to publish all awarded contracts over £10,000 in value on the Contracts Finder website. Once a contract for this recruitment has been finalised and signed it will be published in the usual way.

Answering body: Cabinet Office

Further announcements will be made in the usual way.

Answering body: Cabinet Office

Further announcements will be made in the usual way.

Answering body: Home Office

The Home Office is working collaboratively with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Fire and Rescue Sector and all relevant stakeholders to deliver Grenfell Tower Inquiry phase 1 recommendations with quality, pace and ambition.

The Government published an update on delivery on 21 January and continues to make progress. As announced in the Queen’s Speech, we will shortly introduce a Fire Safety Bill, a necessary first step towards implementation of the Inquiry’s recommendations

Answering body: Cabinet Office

In February, the Prime Minister, as Sponsor Minister for the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, wrote to the Inquiry Chair to confirm his intention to appoint a replacement panel member. He also confirmed that Cabinet Office officials would engage a search company to identify a shortlist of candidates.

As soon as a suitable new panel member has been identified, the Prime Minister will write to the Inquiry Chair to seek his consent to the appointment as required by the Inquiries Act. The successful candidate will be announced once the process has been completed so they start work as soon as possible.

Answering body: Cabinet Office

Due diligence and consideration of conflicts of interest are important parts of any appointment process. The Inquiries Act 2005 sets out the suitability and impartiality requirements of inquiry panel appointments. Appointments to statutory public inquiries are made in accordance with the Act.

Answering body: Cabinet Office

Ms Mehra's appointment was not a public appointment. She was appointed to the panel of a statutory public inquiry in line with the Inquiries Act 2005.

Answering body: Cabinet Office

I refer the Right Honourable Member to my answer given to Question 246580 on 30 April 2019.

Answering body: Cabinet Office

The timing and handling of the Inquiry is a matter for the independent Inquiry and the Government hopes that the report for phase 1 will be published soon.

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry has already begun Phase 2 with the ongoing disclosure of thousands of documents to core participants. Phase 2 of the Inquiry will address the design and modification of the building; the fire and safety measures within it; the management, governance and inspection of the tower; and the steps taken in the days immediately following the fire to support those whose homes had been destroyed. The Inquiry expects the Phase 2 hearings to begin in early 2020.

Answering body: Cabinet Office

The timing and handling of the Inquiry is a matter for the independent Inquiry and the Government hopes that the report for phase 1 will be published soon.

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry has already begun Phase 2 with the ongoing disclosure of thousands of documents to core participants. Phase 2 of the Inquiry will address the design and modification of the building; the fire and safety measures within it; the management, governance and inspection of the tower; and the steps taken in the days immediately following the fire to support those whose homes had been destroyed. The Inquiry expects the Phase 2 hearings to begin in early 2020

Answering body: Cabinet Office

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry is an independent public Inquiry. The timetable for the Inquiry’s work is a matter for the Inquiry Chair, Sir Martin Moore-Bick.

The Chair set out next steps for the Inquiry's work at the conclusion of the Phase 1 hearings on 12 December 2018.

Sir Martin noted that he would like to start the Phase 2 hearings as soon as possible, but that there is significant preparatory work to do.

A copy of the Chair's statement can be found in full on the Inquiry website

https://www.grenfelltowerinquiry.org.uk/sites/default/files/inline-files/Chairman%20Statement%20121218.pdf

Answering body: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

My Department has regular discussions with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea on housing and other support services for those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire, including some who do not have settled immigration status. The Government will ensure that, subject to usual checks, all those who are required to either provide evidence in person, or to be in the UK to participate in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry will be allowed to do so.

Answering body: Department for Communities and Local Government

I have met with representatives of national tenant organisations to seek their views on this process and a programme of events is currently been drawn up so I can personally meet and hear from as many social tenants both in the immediate area around Grenfell Tower but also across the country.

Answering body: Department for Communities and Local Government

The Inquiry Secretariat is staffed by civil servants seconded from a range of government departments. Government departments with an interest or stake in the Inquiry have established departmental teams to support the Inquiry's work.