Victims of Grenfell Tower fire to receive £5,500 per household
Every household whose home was destroyed in the Grenfell Tower fire will receive £5,500 from an emergency fund, the Government today announced.
The money is from the £5m emergency Grenfell Tower Residents’ Discretionary Fund which was first announced by the prime minister last Friday.
It will consist of a £500 cash payment and £5,000 delivered through the Department of Work and Pensions to those who have been affected by the fire.
‘As we continue to respond to the needs of the community, our focus is on ensuring that all of those affected by this unimaginable tragedy get the right support as quickly as possible,’ said Theresa May.
‘My Government will continue to do absolutely everything possible to help all of those affected through the difficult days, weeks, months and years ahead.’
The police have confirmed that at least 58 people are either dead or missing, presumed dead, after the tower block was consumed by fire last Wednesday.
Residents have accused the authorities of not responding to their concerns over the safety of the building before the fire.
Last Friday saw protesters gather around Kensington Town Hall chanting ‘Shame on you!’ and demanding justice. The Town Hall was closed on Saturday due to damage incurred during the protests but it was reopened today.
The Government has also been accused of responding inadequately in the aftermath of the fire - a fact Mrs May acknowledged on Saturday.
‘The response of the emergency services, NHS and the community has been heroic,’ she said.
‘But, frankly, the support on the ground for families who needed help or basic information in the initial hours after this appalling disaster was not good enough.’
The prime minister also said she recognised those living in similar blocks to Grenfell Tower ‘wanted answers’ and said she had ordered councils to complete urgent safety checks on all these buildings.
A public inquiry has been set up to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire.
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