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Government working on ‘full and detailed examination’ of stay put strategy, says Jenrick
The government is working on a “full and detailed examination” of the stay put evacuation strategy for fire in high-rise blocks, Robert Jenrick has said.
Appearing before the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee today, the housing secretary said that while expert consensus is that stay put is “valid” for most tall blocks, the government is still reviewing approaches to evacuation.
He added that the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will work with the Home Office and fire services “to ensure this work is taken forward as a priority”.
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry will publish its first phase report on Wednesday, with stay put expected to be a key focus.
Stay put is the advice widely given to those not directly impacted by the fire to stay in their properties with the windows and doors shut, with the expectation that the construction of the building will protect people from the spread of fire for a period of time.
Expert reports for the inquiry have said that the advice given to residents on the night of the Grenfell Tower fire should have been changed much sooner.
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Last week, Dany Cotton, commissioner of the London Fire Brigade, said that stay put is “no longer viable” for some buildings.
In its analysis of the call for evidence submissions for the technical review of building regulations relating to fire safety, published last month, the government noted that the “majority of respondents believed that the [stay put] strategy should be strengthened”.
Mr Jenrick told the committee yesterday: “While the consensus among experts is that the stay put system remains a valid one for most high-rise blocks of flats, I think it is right that we subject that strategy to the fullest and most detailed examination.
“And that’s why we’re working on a wider technical review of the fire safety aspects of building regulations, including the evacuation strategy for high-rise blocks of flats.
“We’ll work with the Home Office and the fire and rescue service to ensure this work is taken forward as a priority and at pace.”
Mr Jenrick also revealed that Dame Judith Hackitt, who carried out a review of fire safety and building regulations for the government post Grenfell, will advise ministers on the format of a new building safety regulator with decisions due in autumn.
And he suggested that the government’s response to the Social Housing Green Paper consultation, also launched following Grenfell, will surface before Christmas.
He said: “I want to publish a response to the green paper as soon as possible, but I also want to ensure that before we take any final decisions we’ve properly tested them with the individuals and the groups who are most deeply affected by them, including those who are most deeply affected by the Grenfell tragedy.
“My officials are currently holding very regular meetings with Grenfell United to test our proposals.
“Grenfell United have written to me describing these meetings as ‘necessary and productive’ and have asked me to allow these discussions to run their course before government takes final decisions, on the grounds that we don’t rush this process and ensure that we miss and opportunity to get this right for future generations.
“I want to respect Grenfell United’s desire to engage with this process while hoping we can nevertheless reach a conclusion before Christmas at the latest.”
Theresa May said the green paper action plan was expected in September, shortly before the end of her tenure as prime minister.
The green paper was published in August last year with housing provider league tables among its flagship proposals but these are now thought to be unlikely to be introduced.
