Mark Whitehead 25 July 2017

Javid accused of ‘misleading’ MPs about funds for tower block safety

Communities secretary Sajid Javid has been accused of misleading MPs when he said no councils had asked for extra cash to make their tower blocks safe following the Grenfell Tower disaster.

He told the House of Commons on 20 July, a month after the fire which claimed at least 80 lives: 'To date, as far as I am aware, not a single local authority or housing association has approached me or my department to ask for any assistance. If they did, of course we would take that very seriously.'

But Brent Council says it wrote to Mr Javid a week before the statement outlining the extra costs of safety improvements to its housing stock costing about £10m.

Council leader Mohammed Butt and chief executive Carolyn Downs said in their joint letter: 'the council resolved to request the Government to provide the direct financial support to meet the costs incurred. This letter acts as our official request.'

Labour’s shadow housing secretary John Healey says he knows of at least five councils which made similar requests for extra funding before Mr Javid made his Commons statement.

He has written to Mr Javid asking for an urgent clarification on how many councils had asked for money.

Mr Butt said: 'Sajid Javid is going out to make all these statements and not making sure that what he is saying is a true reflection on what’s going on. It’s such a serious subject they do need to get a grip.'

Mr Healey wrote: 'I am aware that at least five councils had made a request for funding help before 20 July, including Birmingham, Croydon, Southwark, Southampton and Brent council, whose leader and chief executive wrote to you fully a week earlier on 13 July with a formal request.

'Why were you unaware of such essential facts? What steps have you taken to make sure you do not make such misleading statements to the House or public in future?'

 

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

Hull City Council
£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recuriter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

Hull City Council
£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recuriter: Hull City Council

Strategic Director, Finance and Resources (S.151 Officer)

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
£110,799 - £120,706
Blackburn with Darwen is a distinctive, welcoming and vibrant borough with a strong identity and a genuine buzz about the place. Blackburn, Lancashire
Recuriter: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

Residential Worker, Edge of Care Service

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £29,093 - £32,654 PAY AWARD PENDING
Join a Groundbreaking Team Supporting Families in Seaham Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Bikeability Cycling Instructor

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £24,790 to £25,992 pro rata (Pay Award Pending)
The Road Safety Team are keen to recruit additional Casual Bikability Instructors to join our team of instructors delivering Bikeability cycle trainin Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner