Jeremy Corbyn urges PM to look again at terms of Grenfell fire inquiry

The Labour leader has written to Theresa May to express concerns that the Grenfell fire inquiry will not examine the wider implications of social housing policy.

Corbyn wrote to the Prime Minister calling for further action.

He said: “I am deeply concerned by the decision to exclude the broader social and political issues raised by the fire from the terms of reference of the inquiry.

“The fire has raised profound concerns about the way that social housing is provided and managed in this country, and I as well as many survivors worry that without a wider focus, the inquiry will fail to get fully to grips with the causes of the fire.

“The fear is that the priority is to avoid criticism of your party’s policy failures rather than secure justice for Grenfell survivors, along with the safety of the many other people who live in social housing in this country.

“On the issue of social housing, your letter accepts that ‘there are a number of concerns, that have gone unheard for too long.’ However, you are vague on how these concerns will now be addressed. The promise that your Housing Minister, Alok Sharma, will meet and talk to social housing residents will be of little reassurance to such residents, particularly in light of the failure of Conservative Governments to implement the recommendations of the inquest into the 2009 fire at Lakanal House in Southwark.

“Learning the lessons of the Grenfell fire will require more far-reaching action. I therefore ask that you immediately set out a clear, independent and thorough process for identifying and addressing the broader failings that led to the Grenfell fire.”

The inquiry’s terms of reference, published recently, mean that it will not look at the social and political conditions around the blaze. Read more on this story here