Police and fire investigations are already underway to establish what happened – and I know that the Government will act on findings as they emerge. We need to establish all the facts to make sure nothing like this happens again.
I completely understand the shock, concern and frustration that exists. The Prime Minister has ordered a full, judge-led public inquiry, which will give people the answers we need.
The Grenfell Tower Recovery task force, chaired by the Prime Minister, was set up in the aftermath of the tragedy to ensure a coordinated response. The Government is working with the local authority to ensure that people who lost their homes in the disaster are rehoused in the local area at the earliest opportunity. It is also working with local authorities, housing associations, fire and rescue services and fire safety experts to ensure that all similar buildings are checked.
A new £5 million Grenfell Tower Residents’ Discretionary Fund has also been made immediately available to help those who had to flee their homes. Every household whose home has been destroyed will receive a guaranteed £5,500 minimum down payment from the Fund. This money could be used to cover loss of possessions, funerals and emergency supplies. I understand that the Fund will be kept under review and will increase if necessary.
On the Island, I have been reassured by Howard Watts, from our local Fire and Rescue Service, that there is no potentially dangerous cladding on the Island. Rightly and sensibly, our local fire fighters are raising awareness of fire safety issues, both in private homes and in nursing homes and elsewhere.
I fully support these actions and will look carefully at all opportunities that we can take to help ensure that this preventable tragedy can never happen again.
If you have any concerns regarding fire safety within your home, the fire service and their partners have developed an on-line home fire safety check. Any residents who would like to complete this check can go to: https://goo.gl/sMchwt
