Mark Whitehead 18 September 2017

Lib Dems call for safety to be ‘at forefront' of building regulations after Grenfell

Safety must be put at the forefront of new building regulations in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the Liberal Democrats have demanded.

They say the social housing regulator must be given a stronger role, and fire safety and building regulations improved.

As it opened its annual conference in Bournemouth the party criticised what it says is the effective privatisation of building control which has led to a watering down of fire safety checks.

It says central Government should pay for improvements to tower blocks that will be needed across the UK once the review of building regulations is concluded.

Liberal Democrat local government spokesperson Wera Hobhouse MP said: 'The Government has many tough questions about why the current regulatory environment did not prevent a tower block from going up in flames in a matter of minutes.

'We need proper scrutiny of the Government's regulator for social housing, which has so far avoided being under the spotlight.

'The public inquiry will tell us about the failures in the particular case of Grenfell Tower, but will not deal with wider matters of public concern.

'The Government has presided over systemic failures in enforcing safety standards and a general neglect of social housing. It must not be let off scot-free.'

Liberal Democrat councillor for Kensington and Chelsea, Cllr Linda Wade said: 'I have been working on the ground with residents who have been affected, many of whom have experienced trauma beyond anything we could imagine.

'It’s made me more determined than ever to do something to improve the way many of our fellow citizens are forced to live.

'The Government must reverse the decades of neglect of social housing and build the affordable, decent quality homes that we need.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Housing Assurance Service Manager

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£55,675 - £56,649
We’re building a brand-new assurance team in our Homes & Neighbourhoods service Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Trainee Public Health Practitioner

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£24,404 - £24,790
Working within the Kirklees Public Health Improvement team Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Climate Change Officer

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£40,476 - £42,708
Are you a passionate and enthusiastic Climate Change Officer Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Transition Home Manager

Durham County Council
Grade 13 £45,718 - £49,764 (Pay Award Pending)
Could you support young people to realise their individual potential and prepare them for their journey towards independence. NOT JUST A PLACE OF WOR Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

SEND and Inclusion Senior Specialist Support Worker (Communication and Interaction Team)

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
We are recruiting a SEND & Inclusion Senior Specialist Support Worker to join our Specialist SEND & Inclusion Team. We would be particularly intereste Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner