Relaxed benefit rules for Tower tragedy families
RELAXED BENEFIT rules will be applied to all residents impacted by the Grenfell Tower fire, ministers have said.
The assurance was given amid concerns tenants made homeless in the disaster could be hit by the so-called bedroom tax or benefit cap if they are moved to a larger or more expensive property.
The Government was also pressed over the use of discretionary payments to residents, given their temporary nature.
Responding to concerns raised in the House of Lords, Work and Pensions Minister Baroness Buscombe said: “The Government is clear that there will be relaxed benefit rules for anyone affected by the Grenfell Tower fire and our staff are handling people’s claims with sensitivity, understanding and flexibility.
“As part of this our very recent guidance to local authorities makes it absolutely clear that they should treat these residents as a priority for extra discretionary payments to help with their rent if they are rehoused in a larger property.”
Labour peer Baroness Lister of Burtersett feared discretionary payments would not provide the security needed for residents.
“People who have been affected by this terrible, terrible tragedy need more than anything piece of mind,” she said.
Lady Buscombe said: “Absolutely. Peace of mind, reassurance should be at the forefront of our minds. That’s why it is absolutely a priority for us that people affected by the tower fire get the financial help that they need.”
She said new guidance had been issued “to ensure that residents affected by the tragic events at Grenfell Tower are treated as a priority for extra discretionary payments and advice.”
Meanwhile, police investigating the Grenfell Tower disaster say they have recovered the “last of the visible human remains” from the high-rise, three weeks on from the devastating blaze.
Commander Stuart Cundy, who is overseeing the Metropolitan Police response to the fire, said “87 recoveries” had been made, but stressed “the catastrophic damage” inside meant “that is not 87 people”.
Some 21 bodies have been formally identified by the coroner and their families informed.
Specialist officers have begun “meticulously” sifting through about 15.5 tonnes of debris on each floor by hand for any human remains still within the tower, he said.
Of the operation, one of the largest and most complex in the Met’s history, Mr Cundy said: “Tragically, there are still 23 flats where despite our investigative efforts we have been unable to trace or speak to anyone who was in those properties on the night.
“We assume that sadly no-one from any of those flats survived.”
He said he did not want there to be any “hidden victims” but was unable to say “with any certainty” how many people may have been in those flats, either as occupiers or visitors, until the search was complete.
It comes as most survivors displaced from Grenfell Tower and Walk are still living in hotels three weeks after the deadly blaze as the Government attempts to find them suitable accommodation.
Fourteen households hoping to be moved out of emergency accommodation have accepted offers for permanent or temporary living arrangements, Grenfell Response Team (GRT) said.
It also emerged a specialist taskforce will be sent in to Kensington and Chelsea Council to take over the running of key services, following heavy criticism of its response to the disaster.
Campaigners and residents claim little headway has been made, with residents said to have been offered properties that are either out of the borough, too expensive or on a one-year contract.