After a damning seven-year investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire. The government is now reviewing its recommendations.
Asking about the next steps ministers will take, after the conclusion of the investigation into the 2017 tower block fire. Broadcasters are expected to question Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner on Thursday morning.
The Housing Secretary’s radio appearance follows the state’s apology. According to Sir Keir Starmer, for a catastrophe that should never have occurred.
The prime minister declared, that all 58 of the inquiry’s recommendations will be examined “in detail” by the government.
Sir Keir also said that ministers would give Parliament regular updates on any commitments, made and would reply fully within six months.
As per the report of Sir Martin Moore-Bick, the chairman of the inquiry, all 72 victims of the 2017 West London fire were the product of “decades of failure” on the part of the government, other authorities, and the building industry, and could have been prevented.
He continued, calling out the “systematic dishonesty” of the companies, that manufactured and sold the cladding and insulation, saying that the tower block was covered in combustible products. Arconic, a cladding company and Kingspan and Celotex, insulation firms, were singled out for particularly harsh criticism.
While admitting to shortcomings dating back to the 1990s, Sir Martin targeted the coalition and Conservative governments’ push for deregulation starting in 2010. Which meant, that despite the 2009 Lakanal House fire that claimed six lives. Concerns about public safety had been “ignored, delayed or disregarded.”
Government contracts for some of the companies involved should be banned, according to Grenfell United. A group that represents some bereaved and survivors.
All companies that the inquiry determined to be involved in the “horrific failings” will be written to, “as the first step” to prevent them from receiving such contracts, Sir Keir informed the Parliament.
It is “imperative that there is full accountability” for what occurred, “including through the criminal justice process,” according to the prime minister.
Before any criminal charges are filed, the Metropolitan Police stated, that it will take an estimated 12 to 18 months to go through the report “line by line.”
The force has previously stated that 58 people and 19 businesses and organizations were being looked into for possible criminal offenses.
The following were possible offenses, that were being considered: corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, perverting the course of justice, misconduct in public office. Offenses related to health and safety, fraud and violations of building and fire codes.
A new, unified regulator for the construction sector, which has grown “too complex and fragmented” was suggested by Sir Martin’s report.
The prime minister promised to take action to expedite the remediation of buildings still covered in hazardous cladding and stated, that the inquiry’s conclusion should be a “moment of change.”
