The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee (HCLG) has called for an independent national oversight mechanism to make sure the Government follows through on Grenfell Tower inquiry recommendations.
In a letter to Secretary of State Angela Rayner and Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Local Growth Alex Norris, the committee said an independent system would stop the Government “marking its own homework.”
The committee said this move would help prevent repeats of failures seen at Grenfell, Hillsborough, and in the infected blood scandal.
The committee shared key findings after a short inquiry into the Government’s response to the Grenfell inquiry.
It made recommendations covering engagement with Grenfell residents, capacity in building control, the work of the Building Safety Regulator, delays in building safety sign-off, personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPS), the Building Safety Levy, and fire and rescue services.
Florence Eshalomi, chair of the HCLG, said: “It’s right that the Government have accepted all the recommendations from a Phase 2 report that outlined deep failings that led to the Grenfell disaster.
“But how can the loved ones of the Grenfell victims be asked to trust the Government to mark their own homework when they have spent nearly eight years fighting for answers as to why people were denied the most basic level of safety?
“That’s why as a Committee we strongly endorse calls for an independent mechanism to hold Government to account on implementing the Phase 2 recommendations.”
Eshalomi added: “Unfortunately, it’s clear that there are still groups, particularly those from minority ethnic backgrounds, who feel that they have not been able to fully contribute to these processes.
“Before making any future decisions as part of its management of the Grenfell site, the Government must take steps to address these issues, including by ensuring they have up-to-date contact details of those affected by the fire and that everyone on this list is contacted and their input sought.
“The Grenfell fire highlighted the toxic stigma too often faced by those living in social housing, where resident concerns were cruelly dismissed, neglected and ignored.”
She said: “As a Committee, we are determined to shine a light on this issue and to hold the Government to account for their role in addressing the systematic failings in building safety, product standards and testing, and fire safety exposed by the tragedy at Grenfell.
“Never again must people be left without such basic levels of safety in their own home.”
Dave Seed, managing director at Que Residential, said: “The causes of the Grenfell tragedy run deep, and the recent inquiry laid bare devastating systemic failures.
“The recent letter from the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee is a welcome and encouraging step towards securing independent oversight of the Grenfell inquiry recommendations.
“It’s essential to avoid shortcuts and ensure accountability to prevent repeating the tragic mistakes of the past.”
Seed added: “Allowing large organisations to ‘mark their own homework’ is a proven recipe for failure.
“Meaningful oversight must be put in place urgently—not only to deliver justice, but to rebuild trust, protect lives, and safeguard the landlord-tenant relationship from irreparable damage.”
