New ‘polluter pays’ tax on high-rises will fund repair of fire safety defects in wake of Grenfell

New ‘polluter pays’ tax on high-rise developments will fund repair of fire safety defects – including unsafe cladding – in the wake of Grenfell Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick will reveal details of a ‘polluter pays’ tax  Sources said the move would protect leaseholders and taxpayers from the cost More than a million private flats are … Read more

Grenfell Tower landlords had ‘reactive approach to maintenance’, inquiry hears

Grenfell Tower’s landlords appeared to have a ‘reactive approach to maintenance’ dating back to a report in 2013, a public inquiry has heard. Andrew Kinnier QC, for the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, said that a document in 2013 viewed the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (TMO), as having a ‘reactive approach to maintenance’ built more … Read more

Council demanded worker who lost family in Grenfell fire prove she was not ‘jumping on bandwagon’

A council questioned whether an employee was ‘jumping on the Grenfell bandwagon’ when she told them she suffered PTSD after losing five members of her family in the fire, a tribunal heard. Labibun Nessa, 42, launched a discrimination claim against her employers the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea after suffering PTSD, anxiety and suicidal … Read more

‘Typo’ in safety report said Grenfell cladding component would ‘burn slower than it had in tests’

‘Typo’ in fire safety report meant component in Grenfell Tower cladding system was listed as burning slower than it had in tests, inquiry hears Studies showed it took five minutes for flames to climb four metres up a test rig ‘Typo’ in Building Research Establishment’s safety report said it took 10 minutes The test used … Read more

Grenfell contractor boss ‘was warned about cladding after 2009 fire’

The Grenfell Tower fire of June 14, 2017, which killed 72 people June 14, 2017: A major fire broke out in Grenfell Tower, a 24-storey residential tower block in North Kensington, London which caused the deaths of 72 of the 293 people believed to be in the tower that night. June 15: Prime Minister Theresa … Read more

Boss of Grenfell contractor was warned about cladding after Bucharest fire in 2009 but did nothing

The Grenfell Tower fire of June 14, 2017, which killed 72 people June 14, 2017: A major fire broke out in Grenfell Tower, a 24-storey residential tower block in North Kensington, London which caused the deaths of 72 of the 293 people believed to be in the tower that night. June 15: Prime Minister Theresa … Read more

Report: Fire brigade ‘wouldn’t do any better in Grenfell No2’

Fire brigade ‘wouldn’t do any better in Grenfell No2’: Scathing report slams lack of improvements in the four years since inferno ripped through London tower block, killing 72 people London Fire Brigade is ‘not in a position’ to do better in a second Grenfell-like fire It has not officially dropped advice for high-rise flat residents to … Read more

How the Big Five housing developers have made £10 BILLION since Grenfell fire 

As the financial hardship of many leaseholders continues, building firms are cashing in on a property market boom. The five biggest developers have made around £10billion in profits since the Grenfell Tower inferno, allowing them to shower more than £4.5billion on shareholders in dividends. The Government’s Help to Buy scheme, which offers loans to first-time … Read more

How the Big Five housing developers have made £10 BILLION since Grenfell fire 

As the financial hardship of many leaseholders continues, building firms are cashing in on a property market boom. The five biggest developers have made around £10billion in profits since the Grenfell Tower inferno, allowing them to shower more than £4.5billion on shareholders in dividends. The Government’s Help to Buy scheme, which offers loans to first-time … Read more

Grenfell insulation firm boss told his staff to let concerns about their product ‘gather dust’

Grenfell insulation firm boss told his staff to let concerns about their product ‘gather dust’, public inquiry hears as executives from cladding company prepare to face questions Manager who sold Grenfell cladding panels will be questioned at public inquiry  Inquiry is examining how products were supplied and fitted on the London tower West London tower … Read more