Grenfell inquiry scope criticised over omissions

PROBE INTO SOCIAL HOUSING NOW REMIT OF MINISTER

Reporter THE Grenfell Tower public inquiry has come under attack from politicians for failing to include the issue of social housing in its terms of reference.

The Prime Minister set out the scope of the probe following recommendations from Sir Martin MooreBick, the retired Court of Appeal judge leading it.

It will examine the actions of authorities before the blaze, including Kensington and Chelsea Council, and how the aftermath was handled, but stops short of scrutinising broader social concerns.

Prime Minister Theresa May said the problem would not be “unanswered”, instead allocating Housing Minister Alok Sharma to review social housing.

Emma Dent Coad, the Labour MP who represents the west London neighbourhood, said the development was “precisely what we feared”.

She said: “We were told ‘no stone would be unturned’ but instead are being presented with a technical assessment which will not get to the heart of the problem: what effects, if any, the lack of investment into social housing had on the refurbishment project.

“The government has delegated this responsibility to an in-house team.

“We have no confidence whatever in the ability of Alok Sharma and a few politically-compromised individuals to take on the task.”

The MP also criticised the apparent speed of yesterday’s announcement, coming less than two weeks since the public consultation closed, having received more than 550 submissions.

She continued: “How can the community possibly have faith in an inquiry with terms of reference so hastily determined by the Prime Minister and her government? It is a complete betrayal of everything we were promised.”

The inquiry has now officially begun and will hold its first hearing on September 14, with an initial report by Easter.

Joe Delaney, who has worked with the Grenfell Action Group and was evacuated from an adjoining block, said: “The terms of reference seem wide enough to be able to cover the immediate causes of the Grenfell Tower disaster but won’t cover wider issues regarding social housing.

“While I think such a debate should be had, I don’t think MooreBick’s inquiry is the forum.”