Government Announces Legislation to Fund Permanent Grenfell Tower Memorial
Housing Secretary Steve Reed has announced that new government legislation will provide funding for a permanent memorial to the 72 individuals who lost their lives in the Grenfell Tower fire. The bill, introduced to Parliament, aims to grant the necessary spending authority to support the memorial commission and local community in creating and maintaining what Reed described as a "lasting and dignified memorial" to honor those who perished in the tragic blaze on June 14, 2017, in west London.
An Enduring Duty to Remember
Addressing the House of Commons, Reed emphasized that commemorating the victims is an "enduring duty" of the state, labeling the fire in Kensington as a "terrible moment in British history." He reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring such a disaster never recurs, stating, "We will not forget what happened that night. We must make sure that nothing like it can ever happen again."
Progress on Inquiry Recommendations and Safety Measures
Reed provided updates on several fronts related to the Grenfell tragedy. He reported that the government is on track to complete 70% of the recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry by the end of this year. Additionally, efforts to remove and replace dangerous flammable cladding have been finished on 91% of high-rise residential and public buildings across England. The remaining recommendations are slated for implementation during the current parliamentary session.
In a move to enhance building safety, the government has published a construction products reform white paper. This document outlines plans for establishing a new construction regulator and modernizing building product regulations. Reed confirmed that the Building Safety Regulator will "evolve into the regulator the inquiry recommended," with a consultation on these reforms now open. Furthermore, new regulations mandating emergency evacuation plans for high-rise buildings will take effect on April 6.
Ongoing Investigations and Community Frustrations
The Metropolitan Police investigation into the fire, described by Reed as "one of the largest and most complex in the force's history," involves 220 investigators. However, several Members of Parliament have raised concerns about the pace of the probe. Conservative MP Sir Julian Lewis questioned why it is taking "so long," while Labour MP Dawn Butler urged Reed to "push the Met to move quicker."
Grenfell survivor Edward Daffarn expressed frustration over what he perceives as slow progress. He told the Press Association that the government is turning survivors into "another victim" by failing to enact meaningful changes. Daffarn cited the lack of a national oversight mechanism and the failure to bring product testing in-house, as recommended by Sir Martin Moore-Bick, as evidence of governmental dishonesty. He lamented, "The fact that we're still here discussing a timeline for recommendations is simply not good enough."
Inquiry Findings and Systemic Failures
The final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry concluded that each death was avoidable, attributing the tragedy to "decades of failure" by governments and the building industry to address the dangers of flammable materials on high-rise structures. It found that victims, the bereaved, and survivors were "badly failed" due to incompetence, dishonesty, and greed.
Inquiry chair Sir Martin Moore-Bick highlighted in his 2024 report that the tower was covered in combustible products because of the "systematic dishonesty" of companies involved in manufacturing and selling cladding and insulation. He also condemned the "deliberate and sustained" manipulation of fire safety testing, misrepresentation of test data, and misleading of the market.
Memorial and Dismantling Timeline
Work on dismantling Grenfell Tower commenced in September and is expected to span two years. The new legislation aims to ensure that a fitting memorial is established and maintained, serving as a solemn reminder of the lives lost and the lessons learned from this devastating event.
