Yesterday on Wednesday 4th September 2024 the Grenfell Tower Inquiry released its findings on the second phase of its investigation. The findings were damming across the board for the companies named, governing bodies, fire safety regulations and a list of successive governments. It has been documented that for three decades governments of all stripes had overseen huge failures that led to the events in 2017. These were failures to address previous fires related to dangerous cladding and the 2010-2015 coalition governments commitment to a “deregulatory agenda”. Further criticisms were made to those responsible for making the cladding for the “systematic dishonesty” who concealed the true dangers of the cladding used.
The Prime Minister Keir Starmer formally apologised on behalf of the British State for the failures that led up to the tragic death toll. He stated that “by 2016 the department was well aware of those risks, but failed to act on what it knew.” The government in response to this inquiry has announced that there will be no new government contracts awarded to any of the companies involved.
The London Fire Brigade announced it recognises the importance of the inquiries findings and recommendations. In collaboration with community groups it will develop its own action plan and response to each recommendation.