Tories ‘fail to honour vow on tower fire safety cash’
Grenfell Tower PROMISES to fund fire safety improvements in response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy are not being kept by ministers, councils have claimed.
Measures such as the installation of sprinklers were considered “additional rather than essential” by the Department for Communities and Local Government, they said.
Jane Urquhart of Nottingham City Council told Radio 4’s Today show: “We found that really difficult to understand.”
Adam Hug of Westminster City Council, next to Grenfell’s Kensington and Chelsea borough, said his authority faced similar problems despite Communities Secretary Sajid Javid’s pledges of help.
Mr Hug added: “Councils across the country are asking the Government for the help promised and are told, ‘No, only in exceptional circumstances’.”
The DCLG said it had not declined any requests for funding but had asked councils for more details about their plans. It said if councils had concerns on funding “essential” fire safety measures they should contact DCLG.