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Grenfell survivors ‘outraged’ after government votes down inquiry recommendations amendment
Grenfell survivors have said they are “outraged” that the government voted down Labour’s attempt to implement recommendations from the public inquiry as part of legislation currently going through parliament.
Labour tabled an amendment to the Fire Safety Bill which would have seen it put recommendations from Sir Martin Moore-Bick’s phase one report into law.
But the Conservatives voted against the clause, meaning it was defeated in the House of Commons last night by 309 votes to 185.
Felicity Buchan, whose Kensington constituency is home to Grenfell Tower, was among the MPs to reject the amendment.
Shadow policing and fire minister Sarah Jones accused ministers of a “shameful U-turn”, while the government said it is doing “everything in our power” to implement the recommendations.
Grenfell United, which represents survivors of the fire as well as those left bereaved by it and the surrounding community, said on Twitter that it is “outraged” at the government and Ms Buchan’s votes.
It added that the news was “no surprise” as ministers “continue to fail the country” on fire safety.
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The Fire Safety Bill, tabled in March, clarifies existing legislation to place a legal requirement on residential building owners to inspect flat entrance doors and external wall systems.
Housing secretary Robert Jenrick told parliament in January that the Fire Safety Bill would implement Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations, which were issued in October 2019.
However, a consultation on proposals to put the recommendations into practice was published in July and remains ongoing.
The proposals go further than Sir Martin called for on some areas, but water down other recommendations such as the requirement to carry out fire door checks every three months.
Ministers had previously repeatedly promised to implement the recommendations “in full”.
In July, Grenfell United accused the government of “trying to shirk away” from the inquiry’s recommendations.
Relations between Grenfell United and ministers have since soured further, with the group revealing over the weekend that it had refused Mr Jenrick’s offer of a meeting.
In a statement posted to Twitter, Ms Buchan blasted Labour for “wilfully politicising the Grenfell tragedy”.
The amendment would have “cut across” the ongoing consultation and “would in no way have sped up the process”, she argued.
A government spokesperson said: “We are doing everything in our power to implement the phase one recommendations of the Grenfell Inquiry in the most practical, proportionate and effective way to ensure such a tragedy can never happen again.
“Our proposals go further than the inquiry’s recommendations in many ways, such as inspection requirements on equipment, on information for residents and on external walls.
“We are now seeking the views of those most affected by the inquiry before deciding on our final approach.”
The Fire Safety Bill will now be referred to the House of Lords for further debate.
