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Morning Briefing: reaction to Grenfell Inquiry evidence over victims ‘left’ in tower
Yesterday’s Grenfell Inquiry was told of confusion in the tower that led to four people in one flat being missed by a firefighter.
In the news
The Guardian has the story from the inquiry, which is back after its summer break. It reports on evidence from a firefighter who went into one flat but did not rescue everyone in it.
How this happened was disputed at the inquiry, with the firefighter claiming one survivor told him there was no one left in the flat. The man in question denies this.
Inside Housing’s daily report from the inquiry is here.
Meanwhile, as rumours swirl around the future of the controversial Help to Buy scheme, a house builders’ group has published a report in favour of it.
Building reports that the Home Builders Federation has insisted that government should continue to back the initiative, claiming it has boosted supply and created jobs. Inside Housing’scoverage of the report is here.
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Whispers about new housing policies returned at around the same time MPs did to Westminster, and for private renters it is no different, with a great deal of speculation surrounding the future of the government’s mooted plan for three-year tenancies.
Tom Copley, Labour’s housing spokesperson in the London Assembly, writes for Labour List that if the Treasury does quash the policy, it would be a “huge betrayal of millions of renters”.
Elsewhere, if you missed the BBC documentary on council housing earlier in the week, it will be broadcast again on the BBC News Channel at 1.30pm on Saturday and 4.30pm on Sunday.
In local news, the Islington Gazette is reporting that the council wants to buy Clerkenwell Fire Station – no longer in use in its original purpose – for use as affordable housing.
According to the paper, the taxpayer has paid out £400,000 just to keep it shut since it was closed in 2014.
In Suffolk, residents of a new housing estate have been told their homes don’t yet have planning permission. The BBC has the story.
Slightly further afield, The Guardian also reports on a plan for ‘capsule housing’ for low-income workers in Barcelona.
Ada Colau, the city’s mayor, and former housing and anti-eviction activist, has vetoed the idea, but the company is building the 2.4m2 pods anyway
On social media
Planning expert Joe Sarling, formerly of the National Housing Federation, is to join Homes England:
*Personal news klaxon*
— Joe Sarling (@joesarling)
After three great years at Lichfields, I’m moving on in a few weeks to become Head of Research at @HomesEngland!
Really looking forward to working with @Mike_Wiltshire, @Saemmett, @benjclayton, @HomesStephenK, @LouiseWyman, @HomesNickW et al! #ukhousing*Personal news klaxon*
— Joe Sarling (@joesarling) September 7, 2018
After three great years at Lichfields, I'm moving on in a few weeks to become Head of Research at @HomesEngland!
Really looking forward to working with @Mike_Wiltshire, @Saemmett, @benjclayton, @HomesStephenK, @LouiseWyman, @HomesNickW et al! #ukhousing
And a story of a person being denied a housing association home due to their status as a zero-hours worker is causing a stir on Twitter:
How is this allowed to happen in social housing? We were established to provide homes for people like this. #shameful. #UkHousing t.co/ClDpKqQAZh
— Tom Murtha (@tomemurtha)How is this allowed to happen in social housing? We were established to provide homes for people like this. #shameful. #UkHousing https://t.co/ClDpKqQAZh
— Tom Murtha (@tomemurtha) September 6, 2018
