Parliamentary activity

Answering body: Home Office

I met with Anthea Sully, the Chair of the National Fire Chief’s Council’s (NFCC) Independent Challenge and Support Panel, prior to the report’s publication to discuss the panel’s work and its findings.

I welcomed the work of the panel, and its importance given my previous involvement with this work as the Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee and now in my ministerial role.

The Government is committed to working with the fire and rescue sector to drive meaningful culture change.

Both the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and several independent reviews of culture in specific fire and rescue services have concluded that poor culture can lead to operational incompetence and therefore present a risk to public safety.

Following the publication of this report, the Government will work where appropriate to support the sector in the delivery and implementation of the 7 calls to action set out in the report to stop racism, misogyny, and other forms of criminal and unacceptable behaviour in the workplace.

Answering body: Ministry of Justice

The Government is clear that Prevention of Future Death (PFD) reports are vital in contributing to public safety through learning from death investigation. We expect recipients to have a framework in place for considering any reports they receive, and to take their responses – and related actions - very seriously.

However, we recognise that more needs to be done to improve accessibility to information from PFD reports; and to ensure, particularly across government, that lessons are learned; that this learning is disseminated as quickly and widely as possible; and that it is effectively monitored and evaluated.

We are addressing this issue as part of the reformed, forward-looking framework for coroner services which we intend to deliver in light of the Justice Committee’s recent Inquiries into the Coroner Service, working closely with the Chief Coroner, local authorities and other key partners. The Government’s formal responses to the Committee were provided on 10 September 2021 and 10 December 2024 respectively.

Answering body: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

My Right Honourable Friend the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Angela Rayner MP) has today made the following statement:

I want to provide the House with an update on the Government’s work with the Grenfell community and on my decision about the future of Grenfell Tower.

Supporting the community

Learning the lessons from the Grenfell tragedy and ensuring lasting change are key priorities for the government. In his statement to this House in September, the Prime Minister committed to supporting the community now and always, and to building a legacy of change in their name.

I am committed to supporting bereaved families, survivors and immediate community, and working to ensure that we never see a repeat of the tragedy. Since my appointment, I have valued hearing directly from the community about the issues that matter to them.

Grenfell Tower

I am responsible for Grenfell Tower and for making a decision about its future. I understand that this is a deeply personal matter for those affected, and I am keeping their voice firmly at the heart of this decision making.

I would like to update the House that over the last week I have met bereaved families and survivors, and residents in the immediate community to explain my decision that Grenfell Tower will be carefully taken down.

Listening to the community

I have reached this decision after listening carefully to the community, and I am grateful to everyone who has shared their personal stories and views, especially bereaved and survivors.

In November last year, I explained to families that I would listen to their views and make sure their voices were heard, as well as to consider expert information before making a decision on the future of the Tower in February.

From November I offered bereaved and survivors the opportunity to meet in-person in North Kensington and Whitehall, or online, at different times and individually when families felt more comfortable with this. I have also spent time with representative groups, residents’ associations, schools and faith leaders. I am grateful to everyone who shared their view – whether directly with me, with the Minister or officials – and especially to the bereaved and survivors.

The Tower was the home of the 72 innocent people who lost their lives, and of survivors whose lives were forever changed. It is clear from conversations it remains a sacred site. It is also clear that there is not a consensus about what should happen to it.

For some, Grenfell Tower is a symbol of all that they lost. The presence of the Tower helps to ensure the tragedy is never forgotten and can act as a reminder of the need for justice and accountability. Being able to see the Tower every day helps some people continue to feel close to those they lost. For others it is a painful reminder of what happened and is having a daily impact on some members of the community. Some have suggested that some floors of the Tower should be retained for the memorial, others have said that this would be too painful.

Expert advice

I also considered independent expert advice. Engineering advice says that the Tower is significantly damaged. It remains stable because of the measures put in place to protect it but even with installation of additional props, the condition of the building will continue to worsen over time. Engineers also advise it is not practicable to retain many of the floors of the building in place as part of a memorial that must last in perpetuity.

Taking the engineering advice into account I have concluded that it would not be fair to keep some floors of the building that are significant to some families, whilst not being able to do so for others and knowing that, for some, this would be upsetting.

How the Tower will be taken down

The government is committed to taking the next steps respectfully and carefully. There will be continued support for, and engagement with, the community throughout the process.

In the coming months, the government will confirm the specialist contractor that will develop a detailed plan for taking the Tower down. The work will be led by technical experts with specific health and safety responsibilities and will include a methodology that includes environmental, health and safety measures and a detailed programme of work. The views the community have shared already will inform the plans. The department will continue to work with them, for example on arrangements to pay their respects.

There will be no changes to the Tower before the eighth anniversary.  It will likely take around two years to sensitively take down the Tower through a process of careful, progressive deconstruction that happens behind the wrapping.

We continue to support the independent Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission as the community choose a design team to work with them on designing a memorial.

I will ensure that parts of the Tower or materials from the site can be carefully removed and returned for inclusion as part of the memorial, if the community wishes.

The department has regularly consulted the Metropolitan Police, HM Coroner and the Grenfell Tower Inquiry to ensure decisions about the site do not interfere with their important work in pursuit of justice and accountability. The Police and HM Coroner have again recently confirmed they have everything they need.

Continued commitment for the community

My commitment to the community continues. I will ensure bereaved families, survivors and residents continue to have opportunities to speak with me and the Building Safety Minister on issues that matter to them most.

Answering body: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

I want to provide the House with an update on the Government’s work with the Grenfell community and on my decision about the future of Grenfell Tower.

Supporting the community

Learning the lessons from the Grenfell tragedy and ensuring lasting change are key priorities for the government. In his statement to this House in September, the Prime Minister committed to supporting the community now and always, and to building a legacy of change in their name.

I am committed to supporting bereaved families, survivors and immediate community, and working to ensure that we never see a repeat of the tragedy. Since my appointment, I have valued hearing directly from the community about the issues that matter to them.

Grenfell Tower

I am responsible for Grenfell Tower and for making a decision about its future. I understand that this is a deeply personal matter for those affected, and I am keeping their voice firmly at the heart of this decision making.

I would like to update the House that over the last week I have met bereaved families and survivors, and residents in the immediate community to explain my decision that Grenfell Tower will be carefully taken down.

Listening to the community

I have reached this decision after listening carefully to the community, and I am grateful to everyone who has shared their personal stories and views, especially bereaved and survivors.

In November last year, I explained to families that I would listen to their views and make sure their voices were heard, as well as to consider expert information before making a decision on the future of the Tower in February.

From November I offered bereaved and survivors the opportunity to meet in-person in North Kensington and Whitehall, or online, at different times and individually when families felt more comfortable with this. I have also spent time with representative groups, residents’ associations, schools and faith leaders. I am grateful to everyone who shared their view – whether directly with me, with the Minister or officials – and especially to the bereaved and survivors.

The Tower was the home of the 72 innocent people who lost their lives, and of survivors whose lives were forever changed. It is clear from conversations it remains a sacred site. It is also clear that there is not a consensus about what should happen to it.

For some, Grenfell Tower is a symbol of all that they lost. The presence of the Tower helps to ensure the tragedy is never forgotten and can act as a reminder of the need for justice and accountability. Being able to see the Tower every day helps some people continue to feel close to those they lost. For others it is a painful reminder of what happened and is having a daily impact on some members of the community. Some have suggested that some floors of the Tower should be retained for the memorial, others have said that this would be too painful.

Expert advice

I also considered independent expert advice. Engineering advice says that the Tower is significantly damaged. It remains stable because of the measures put in place to protect it but even with installation of additional props, the condition of the building will continue to worsen over time. Engineers also advise it is not practicable to retain many of the floors of the building in place as part of a memorial that must last in perpetuity.

Taking the engineering advice into account I have concluded that it would not be fair to keep some floors of the building that are significant to some families, whilst not being able to do so for others and knowing that, for some, this would be upsetting.

How the Tower will be taken down

The government is committed to taking the next steps respectfully and carefully. There will be continued support for, and engagement with, the community throughout the process.

In the coming months, the government will confirm the specialist contractor that will develop a detailed plan for taking the Tower down. The work will be led by technical experts with specific health and safety responsibilities and will include a methodology that includes environmental, health and safety measures and a detailed programme of work. The views the community have shared already will inform the plans. The department will continue to work with them, for example on arrangements to pay their respects.

There will be no changes to the Tower before the eighth anniversary.  It will likely take around two years to sensitively take down the Tower through a process of careful, progressive deconstruction that happens behind the wrapping.

We continue to support the independent Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission as the community choose a design team to work with them on designing a memorial.

I will ensure that parts of the Tower or materials from the site can be carefully removed and returned for inclusion as part of the memorial, if the community wishes.

The department has regularly consulted the Metropolitan Police, HM Coroner and the Grenfell Tower Inquiry to ensure decisions about the site do not interfere with their important work in pursuit of justice and accountability. The Police and HM Coroner have again recently confirmed they have everything they need.

Continued commitment for the community

My commitment to the community continues. I will ensure bereaved families, survivors and residents continue to have opportunities to speak with me and the Building Safety Minister on issues that matter to them most.

Answering body: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

We are considering the recommendations set out in the Grenfell Inquiry report. The Prime Minister has committed to respond in full to the Inquiry’s recommendations within 6 months and to update Parliament annually on our progress against every commitment made.

Answering body: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Currently, the fire engineering profession is undefined and not regulated in law. The Grenfell Tower Inquiry report makes a number of recommendations in respect of fire engineering sector including the recommendation that the profession be recognised and protected by law and that an independent body be established to regulate the profession, define the standards required for membership, maintain a register of members and regulate their conduct.

Following the publication of the Grenfell Tower Fire Inquiry Report, the Department is reviewing the findings and recommendations in relation to the fire engineering sector. No assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the Institution of Fire Engineers as a regulatory body for fire engineers.

Answering body: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) registers and sets competency standards for all building inspectors. As part of that work, it is clear that there are capacity issues across the sector. We have invested £16.5 million to support capacity building in local authorities and continue to encourage all authorities to invest in this area.

We will keep the powers of building inspectors under review and are working to see if there are ways in which they should be strengthened. For all higher risk buildings, the BSR remains the building control authority.

The role of local authorities within the building control system is linked to recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report. The Government is carefully considering all such recommendations, and we will respond by March.

Answering body: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) registers and sets competency standards for all building inspectors. As part of that work, it is clear that there are capacity issues across the sector. We have invested £16.5 million to support capacity building in local authorities and continue to encourage all authorities to invest in this area.

We will keep the powers of building inspectors under review and are working to see if there are ways in which they should be strengthened. For all higher risk buildings, the BSR remains the building control authority.

The role of local authorities within the building control system is linked to recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report. The Government is carefully considering all such recommendations, and we will respond by March.

Answering body: Cabinet Office

The Cabinet Office is undertaking a review of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s findings for evidence of supplier failures, and is identifying if organisations involved in the tragedy are still in government supply chains as subcontractors. The government will support action on these findings, which could include issuing guidance on exclusions to the public sector where appropriate.

Answering body: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

It is important that government carefully considers the findings and recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report in full. When the report was published in September, the Prime Minister indicated that the government will respond to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s 58 recommendations within six months and update Parliament annually on progress against every commitment made.

Answering body: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Our assessment remains that building safety related remediation works are required in a very small number of buildings under 11m in height. We already expect building owners to undertake assessments of their buildings to identify internal and external wall fire safety defects and remediate them at pace where they are life critical.

Those developers that have signed the Developer Remediation Contract are required to remediate internal fire safety defects arising from design and construction, we will continue to make sure that developers meet the contract obligations and are auditing their fire risk assessments and will hold them to account.

We maintain that the responsibility for the costs of fixing historical cladding and building fire safety defects should rest with building owners. They should not pass these costs on to leaseholders but should seek to recover costs from those who were responsible for building unsafe homes.

Alongside taking action to increase the pace of remediation, following consideration of the phase 2 report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, we will announce further measures to protect leaseholders.

Answering body: Home Office

My rt hon Friend the Minister of State for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention (Dame Diana Johnson) has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement:

I am today publishing the Government’s response to the Emergency Evacuation Information Sharing Plus (EEIS+) consultation, which provides further detail of our new Residential PEEPs policy.

This policy, which was previously announced in a written ministerial statement on 2 September 2024 (HCWS62), introduces new measures to improve the fire safety for vulnerable residents in high-rise and higher-risk residential blocks of flats, and represents a milestone in addressing the recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, a key priority for this Government.

Following publication of this Government response, subject to parliamentary approval, we will move to lay Regulations to implement the new policy.

A copy of the Government response will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses and it will also be published on GOV.UK.

Answering body: Home Office

I am today publishing the Government’s response to the Emergency Evacuation Information Sharing Plus (EEIS+) consultation, which provides further detail of our new Residential PEEPs policy.

This policy, which was previously announced in a written ministerial statement on 2 September 2024 (HCWS62), introduces new measures to improve the fire safety for vulnerable residents in high-rise and higher-risk residential blocks of flats, and represents a milestone in addressing the recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, a key priority for this Government.

Following publication of this Government response, subject to parliamentary approval, we will move to lay Regulations to implement the new policy.

A copy of the Government response will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses and it will also be published on GOV.UK.

Answering body: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Our assessment remains that building safety related remediation works are required in a very small number of buildings under 11m in height. We already expect building owners to undertake assessments of their buildings to identify internal and external wall fire safety defects and remediate them at pace where they are life critical.

Those developers that have signed the Developer Remediation Contract are required to remediate internal fire safety defects arising from design and construction, we will continue to make sure that developers meet the contract obligations and are auditing their fire risk assessments and will hold them to account.

We maintain that the responsibility for the costs of fixing historical cladding and building fire safety defects should rest with building owners. They should not pass these costs on to leaseholders but should seek to recover costs from those who were responsible for building unsafe homes.

Alongside taking action to increase the pace of remediation, following consideration of the phase 2 report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, we will announce further measures to protect leaseholders.

Answering body: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

We are considering the recommendations set out in the Grenfell Inquiry report. The Prime Minister has committed to respond in full to the Inquiry’s recommendations within six months.

Answering body: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

The government has written to firms associated with the failing identified by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, as the first step to stopping them being awarded government contracts. While this process continues, Ministers within my department will avoid meetings and events associated with firms identified as contributing to these horrific failings through their systematic dishonesty and manipulative practices.

Answering body: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

My officials and I have carefully considered the National Audit Office’s recommendations and expect to come before the Public Accounts Committee next year.

The Deputy Prime Minister will also set out shortly, further steps on remediation, as promised by the Prime Minister on 4th September 2024, following publication of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry final report.

Buildings insurance premiums remain high for many leaseholders in buildings with fire safety issues, who have been paying too much for too long.

The Fire Safety Reinsurance Facility, led by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and reinsurance broker McGill and Partners, launched in April 2024. The Facility aims to increase capacity in the market and may reduce high premiums for some of the most affected multi-occupancy buildings with fire safety issues.

The Government has been monitoring the use and impact of the Facility and will provide an update in due course.

Answering body: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

The Government has overseen progress against Phase 1 and has committed to publishing regular progress updates on the relevant section of gov.uk, with a final update due to be published in the new year. Of the Inquiry’s 46 Phase 1 recommendations, all but one have now been considered and addressed, with the final fire and rescue service recommendation due to be addressed by the end of the year.

On phase 2, it is of course important that government carefully considers the Inquiry’s findings and recommendations in full. The Prime Minister has indicated that the government will respond to the inquiry’s recommendations within six months, and update Parliament annually on progress against every commitment made.

Answering body: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

My officials and I have carefully considered the National Audit Office’s recommendations and expect to come before the Public Accounts Committee next year.

The Deputy Prime Minister will also set out shortly, further steps on remediation, as promised by the Prime Minister on 4th September 2024, following publication of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry final report.

Buildings insurance premiums remain high for many leaseholders in buildings with fire safety issues, who have been paying too much for too long.

The Fire Safety Reinsurance Facility, led by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and reinsurance broker McGill and Partners, launched in April 2024. The Facility aims to increase capacity in the market and may reduce high premiums for some of the most affected multi-occupancy buildings with fire safety issues.

The Government has been monitoring the use and impact of the Facility and will provide an update in due course.

Answering body: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

The Government’s priority remains ensuring that residents living in buildings with unsafe cladding are safe in their homes, now and in the future. We are committed to the highest levels of building safety, and the safety and standards of construction are kept under review. There have been important reforms since 2017 but there is more to do.

Government has an obligation to carefully consider the findings and recommendations from the Grenfell Inquiry Report. A full response to the report recommendations will be made within 6 months.