Grenfell Anniversary: London Mayor says lessons haven’t been learnt

Five years on from the Grenfell Tower fire

Author: Danielle SaundersPublished 14th Jun 2022
Last updated 14th Jun 2022

Today marks the five year anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire on 14 June 2017 in North Kensington, which killed 72 people.

Our reporter Josh Kerr discussed the incident with London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who says lessons haven’t been learnt.

'Lives lost in a preventable fire'

“What’s heartbreaking and makes me angry is five years on justice hasn’t happened as those families demand, but also lessons haven’t been learnt”, Sadiq Khan says.

“Those responsible have got to be held to account, individuals and companies.

“But also we’ve got to make sure that if there is a fire in another building, that the consequences aren’t what happened in Grenfell Tower.”

He told us, “I remember receiving the phone call that night, first thing in the morning going to Grenfell tower and meeting not just the firefighters but members of the community.

“I still see survivors, bereaved families and community members on a regular basis.

Feeling unsafe at home

“It’s heartbreaking that 72 Londoners lost their lives in a preventable fire”, Mr Khan says.

“It upsets me to say that I’m being told by people living in tall buildings, buildings that aren’t that tall, and the London Fire Brigade, that the buildings people live in aren’t as safe as they should be.

“I speak, on a regular basis, to families who go to bed worried their home isn’t safe if there’s a fire.”

‘Urging the government to take action’

Mr Khan adds, “I can’t hand on heart say to the families that the government’s learnt the lessons.

“The London Fire Brigade have confirmed that there are still buildings in London that cause them concern.

“That’s why it’s so important for us to continue to apply pressure on the government for them to finally take bold action.”

Investing in the fire service

“We have invested in the fire service in London, given them all the equipment they need, the technology for them to do what they can to have the right kit”, he says.

“Making sure the firefighters and those in the control room are properly trained.

What happened at Grenfell Tower?

A fire tore through Grenfell Tower in North Kensington in London on the 14 June 2017, the blaze travelled through the 24-storey building.

72 people were killed in the fire.

The Grenfell inquiry found that the tower's cladding was a key factor in the fire's rapid spread because it was combustible material.

Building regulations came under huge scrutiny after flammable and insufficient cladding was blamed.

The inquiry is ongoing.

READ MORE: Memorial and silent walk mark five years since the Grenfell Tower fire in west London

What is cladding?

Cladding involves fixing a new layer of material to the exterior of a building, usually to change how a building looks, protect against the weather and increase insulation.

In January this year, Michael Gove said he is giving firms until March to agree a £4 billion plan to protect leaseholders and announced plans to get developers and other industry stakeholders to pay for fixing defective buildings rather than the leaseholders.

Yet in May 2022, it was found that more than 1,000 residential buildings in the capital were unsafe.

The government have also been facing calls to support people "falling through the cracks" over cladding relief.

Recommendations of patrols by fire wardens and new alarm systems has resulted in people paying out tens of thousands of pounds, as these are costs that the government won't cover.

What is the new fire reform?

Also in May, Home Secretary Priti Patel announced a new Fire Reform White Paper will incorporate more recommendations from Phase 1 of the Grenfell fire inquiry.

It outlined plans including transferring fire governance to an elected individual to oversee chief fire officers and a focus on improving “the professionalism of the fire and rescue service through modern workforce practices.”

The London Fire Brigade welcomed the new legislation, but said more needs to be done to tackle dangerous structures and ensure residents know how to escape in the event of a fire.

READ MORE: More than 1,000 buildings unsafe five years after Grenfell

What is the Building Safety Bill?

In February, more details were announced with plans to amend the Building Safety Bill, which was first published in July 2021 and outlined as a “key step in an extensive overhaul to building safety legislation”.

READ MORE: New government proposals set to end cladding scandal

On 28 April 2022 The Building Safety Bill received Royal Assent to become The Building Safety Act, provisions are expected to come into force within two to 18 months from that date.

The Bill looks at implementing the new, more stringent regulatory regime for higher-risk buildings, overseeing the safety and performance of all buildings, and assisting and encouraging competence among the built environment industry, and registered building inspectors.

Westfield shopping Centre tribute

West London's Westfield shopping Centre pay their respects and take the time to remember those lost in the fire.

At 2pm today, 14th June, they are holding 72 seconds of silence in the centre followed by a reading on the tannoid of the 72 names of the individuals who tragically lost their lives in the Grenfell Tower five years ago.

A memorial window designed by ‘Grenfell Speaks’ volunteers is displayed in the centre until the 26 June, it features 72 green hearts, each representing a life lost.

The Grenfell memorial creative are featuring on Westfield’s in-centre screens and John Lewis have created a memorial window display, dimming their main lights to light their windows in green in remembrance.

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