The Phase 2 (and final) report of the Grenfell Inquiry was published today, Wednesday.
You will doubtless have seen the headlines. The Inquiry does not hold back in finding responsibility for what happened on the part of all concerned (save the residents and on the ground fire officers of course), from the TMO landlord, through to the ‘dishonest’ cladding and insulation manufacturers. Government and departments are certainly not spared being found to be complacent, defensive and having failed on many occasions to address the regulatory issue despite it being clearly laid before them repeatedly from 1996 onwards. Instead
In the years that followed the Lakanal House fire the government’s deregulatory agenda, enthusiastically supported by some junior ministers and the Secretary of State, dominated the department’s thinking to such an extent that even matters affecting the safety of life were ignored, delayed or disregarded.
It is reiterated that every single death was avoidable.
We will have to see whether there will be criminal charges.
It is the report’s recommendations that will particularly concern us here. I’m going to take some time to think about them before commenting, though it is notable that the Building Safety Act is not considered to be sufficient. (In the light of that, it is perhaps surprising that the Regulation of Social Housing Act is apparently considered sufficient in terms of addressing relations between social landlords and tenants on building safety. I think that is questionable.)
Considering the recommendations (and any other desirable steps) will also be an issue for the Government, of course. While the Prime Minister unsurprisingly said the Government will take some time to consider the recommendations and update the Commons, it is worth noting a passage in Sir Keir Starmer’s speech today in the Commons where he said that, following a visit to Grenfell Tower:
It left me a with a profound and very personal determination to make the legacy of Grenfell Tower one of the defining changes to our country that I want to make as Prime Minister.
To the families, the survivors and the immediate community, we will support you now and always—especially those who were children. In the memory of your loved ones, we will deliver a generational shift in the safety and quality of housing for everyone in this country. In the memory of Grenfell, we will change our country; not just a change in policy and regulation, although that must of course take place, but a profound shift in culture and behaviour, a rebalancing of power that gives voice and respect to every citizen, whoever they are and wherever they live.
That is a worthy goal, but to be blunt, one hell of a challenge.