Grenfell inquiry: The reaction
Following the publication of the final phase of the Grenfell inquiry, industry experts and ministers have expressed their thoughts.
Today the Grenfell Inquiry team, which was launched in 2020, published the final report into the fire which claimed the lives of 72 people and destroyed the apartment block in London. Experts concluded that the deaths were ‘all avoidable’ and found the cause of the blaze to be the ‘systematic dishonesty’ of construction companies that manufactured the cladding for the tower block’s refurbishment.
Sir Martin Moore-Bick, chairman of the inquiry, said: ‘The simple truth is that the deaths that occurred were all avoidable and that those who lived in the tower were badly failed over a number of years and in a number of different ways by those who were responsible for ensuring the safety of the building and its occupants.’
Since the report was published, various government officials and industry experts have expressed their views, which can be found below.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer
‘I want to start with an apology on behalf of the British state to each and every one of you, and indeed to all of the families affected by this tragedy. It should never have happened. The country failed to discharge its most fundamental duty, to protect you and your loved ones, the people that we are here to serve, and I am deeply sorry.
‘I also want to express my admiration for the strength it must have taken to relive these events when giving your evidence to the inquiry, and indeed to see written down today the circumstances that led to the death of your loved ones. After all you’ve been through, you may feel you’re always one step away from another betrayal. I get that, and I know I cannot change that with just words.’
He’s called for a ‘day of justice’.
Grenfell United
‘Today marks the conclusion of a painful six years listening to the evidence of the deaths of 54 adults and 18 children, our loved ones, neighbours and friends. It is a significant chapter in the journey to truth, justice and change. But justice has not been delivered.
‘The inquiry report reveals that whenever there’s a clash between corporate interest and public safety, governments have done everything they can to avoid their responsibilities to keep people safe. The system isn’t broken, it was built this way.
‘It speaks to a lack of competence, understanding and a fundamental failure to perform the most basic of duties of care.
‘The recommendations published today are basic safety principles that should already exist, highlighting how the government’s roles, duties and obligations have been hollowed out by privatisation.
‘Sir Martin Moore-Bick has laid bare his mistrust in the building industry – no single publication like approved document B should subsequently be used as a means to regulate fire safety and to keep the public safe.
‘The government knew this was no to regulate. It was there to be exploited.’
Andy Roe, London Fire Commissioner
‘On this day, our thoughts remain with the 72 people who lost their lives, the survivors, their families, and the entire Grenfell community. We must never forget the impact the tragedy has had on that community.
‘On the night of the fire, the Brigade faced the most formidable challenge that any fire service in the UK has confronted in living memory. Staff responding to the fire on the night of the tragedy, as well as members of other emergency services who attended in support of the Brigade, showed extreme courage in the face of the most appalling of circumstances.
‘In 2019, the Brigade accepted every recommendation from the Phase 1 Report and we have since implemented significant changes to how we operate. This year, we completed every recommendation directed at us as part of Phase 1. We have introduced important policies, new equipment, improved training and better ways of working, particularly in how we respond to fires in high-rise residential buildings, and Londoners are safer as a result. This was evidenced at the awful fire in Dagenham late last month.
‘While we are now better prepared to respond to high-rise fires, we are not complacent. We are in dialogue with the Government and Mayor of London as we all look at what must be done to ensure that buildings in London are safe. We will continue to collaborate with them, advocating for improved standards in the built environment to ensure greater safety.
‘We recognise the importance of the Inquiry’s findings and recommendations. We will set out an action plan, detailing our response to each recommendation, in due course. This will be developed following consultation and in collaboration with the Grenfell community and our Community Forum.’
Kingspan, global leader in building envelope solutions
‘Today is another extremely difficult day for the relatives and survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire and we extend our deepest sympathies to those impacted by the tragedy.
‘We welcome the publication of today’s report which is crucial to a public understanding of what went wrong and why. It explains clearly and unambiguously that the type of insulation (whether combustible or non-combustible) was immaterial, and that the principal reason for the fire spread was the PE ACM cladding, which was not made by Kingspan.
‘Kingspan has long acknowledged the wholly unacceptable historical failings that occurred in part of our UK insulation business. These were in no way reflective of how we conduct ourselves as a group, then or now. While deeply regrettable, they were not found to be causative of the tragedy.
‘Kingspan has already emphatically addressed these issues, including the implementation of extensive and externally-verified measures to ensure our conduct and compliance standards are world leading.
‘We remain committed to playing a leading role in providing safe and sustainable building solutions, including continuing to work with government and industry partners.’
Sean Keyes, CEO of Sutcliffe
‘Disasters such as Grenfell underpin the importance of upholding the highest ethical conduct in construction, particularly in an industry where mistakes can have catastrophic consequences. Whilst most people uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethics, there is a pressing need for a cultural shift towards acknowledging potential safety risks no matter what the cost. New regulations and rules have been implemented, but when profit outweighs safety, it is inevitable that society will suffer. That said, the implementation of the Building Safety Act has changed things quite considerably instilling renewed public confidence in the industry.
‘Nevertheless, today’s report spotlights serious systemic failings across the board, from politicians, contractors, consultants to material manufacturers; and, how ‘basic safety principles that were known to all’ were disregarded. It highlights that this tragedy was avoidable and must never happen again.’
Cllr Claire Holland, chair of London Councils
‘The Grenfell Tower fire was a tragedy that shook London to the core and robbed 72 people of their lives in horrific circumstances. On the publication of the Inquiry report, my thoughts are with the 72 people who died, their loved ones, those who lost their homes and the many people living in the local community and beyond who were affected by the fire.
‘Seven years on, London boroughs’ commitment to ensuring this never happens again remains unchanged. The publication of the phase 2 report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry is an important step towards this. It must serve as a catalyst for action. The report’s findings are damning and make clear how residents were let down by a broken system that failed at every level, with fatal consequences. Boroughs will be reading this report closely to ensure that we understand its findings in full and take action in response to its recommendations.
‘Every Londoner has the right to be safe and feel safe in their home. Since the fire, London boroughs have continued working to improve building safety and overall housing standards for people living in high rise accommodation, but we know there is so much more to do and progress has been far too slow. It’s vital that we drive forward the change we need to see, in partnership with our residents and national government, to ensure this clearly avoidable tragedy is never repeated.’
Grenfell report reveals government and private sector failings
