Morning Briefing: MPs criticise May's response to Grenfell petition

In the news

A cross-party group of MPs has criticised Theresa May for her response to a recent petition set up by bereaved families of the Grenfell Tower fire to have more representative panel members added to the inquiry into the fire, the Belfast Telegraph reports.

Parliament’s petitions committee – a cross-party group of 11 MPs – said it agreed with the residents that the PM’s response had been “inadequate” and has asked the government to provide a “better response”.

The committee said Mrs May’s answer was contradictory, first saying she would consider adding new inquiry panel members but later stating she had decided not to do so.

The committee added: “We were also disappointed that the response failed to acknowledge that the petition had been started by bereaved families and survivors, or to express any concern for their suffering and loss.”

A spokesperson for the bereaved families said: "Bereaved families and survivors are glad the committee has recognised this contradiction in the government’s position and failure to solicit an opinion from Sir Martin".

Berkeley Group has received planning permission to build an offsite factory in Kent that will produce 1,000 homes a year.

The Ebbsfleet Development Corporation approved the developer’s application last night to build the factory on a 10-acre site in Northfleet, Kent Online reports.

The BBC reports that Swansea Council will install sprinklers in its 11 tower blocks. Andrea Lewis, cabinet member for housing, said despite tests showing the cladding used at some of its flats was safe, the council wanted the added reassurance of sprinkler systems, to dampen down any fires before they had a chance to spread.

Priority will be given to those blocks with exterior cladding fitted. Sprinkler heads will be fitted in all rooms except bathrooms and the work will take a day per flat.