Use modern communication for public emergency information
Grenfell Tower Inquiry · Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 2 Report · Issued 4 September 2024 · Addressed to: Local Authorities
Source — verbatim from the inquiry
●Inquiry recommendation
That all local authorities include in their plans for responding to emergencies arrangements for providing information to the public by whatever combination of modern methods of communication are likely to be most effective for the areas for which they are responsible. (113.78)
Grenfell Tower Inquiry, Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 2 Report · 4 Sep 2024 Source PDF →
Published evidence summary
Publicly available evidence relating to this recommendation:
- The government's annual report stated MHCLG continues engagement with sector partners on guidance for providing information to the public using modern communication methods during emergencies (Annual Report on Progress, MHCLG, February 2026).
Response — verbatim from government
●Local Authorities — initial response
The government supports this recommendation made towards local authorities. Local authorities already have a legal obligation through their duties under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. This duty will be highlighted in guidance that clarifies key duties on local authorities.
Local Authorities · 16 Jan 2025 Written response →
●Local Authorities — follow-up
The government supports this recommendation made towards local authorities. Local authorities already have a legal obligation through their duties under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. This duty will be highlighted in guidance that clarifies key duties on local authorities.
Local Authorities · 26 Feb 2025 Written response →
Evidence trail — what's actually happened since
- 20 May 2026 MHCLG is addressing the recommendation through the refresh of the 2018 Local Authorities' Chief Executive Resilience Guidance, reinforcing key duties on providing information to the public in emergencies. First working group with delivery partners held 1 April 2026, publication targeted by August 2026. Government closed the recommendation as complete on identifying the refreshed guidance as the delivery route. (Covers Recommendations 51-55.) Source →
- 1 Feb 2026 MHCLG continues engagement with sector partners to determine appropriate guidance approaches for providing information to the public in emergencies. (Covers Recommendations 50-55.) Source →
Each entry above links to a primary source — gov.uk written statement, consultation response document, or inspection report. The Index does not characterise government intent; it tracks what has been published.
How this page is built
Source and Response are verbatim from primary documents. The Evidence trail records published activity since — written statements, consultation outcomes, inspection findings, parliamentary references. The Index does not paraphrase or characterise intent; it tracks what has been published. Where the evidence is the absence of action (a missed deadline, a slipped timetable), that absence is documented from primary sources rather than inferred.
This recommendation's data is verified periodically against primary sources. The Index is monitored for staleness weekly.