Emma Reynolds, Labour MP for Wolverhampton North East, has written to the government in light of the terrible fire at Grenfell Tower to call on them to improve fire-safety in tower blocks. Emma had already written to Wolverhampton Homes and Wolverhampton City Council. Emma asked the Council what steps are being taken locally to respond to residents’ concerns and to conduct robust fire safety checks, including to any external cladding. Wolverhampton Homes had confirmed that no flammable cladding has been used on any of the tower blocks it is responsible for managing.

Some important points Emma raised with the minister include:

• Press for the earliest possible clarification into the reasons for the scale, intensity and spread of the Grenfell fire.

• Mandate that sprinklers are installed inside tower blocks including in privately-owned tower blocks and provide financial support to do so to local authorities and housing associations.

• Introduce new regulations about mandatory fire alarms in communal areas and make funding available to ensure they can be installed.

• Seek urgent clarification from fire brigades around the country about the suitability of the ‘stay put’ policy and whether it is still the best advice in light of what happened at Grenfell Tower.

You can read Emma’s letter to the government minister here: Grenfell Tower Sajid Javid

Speaking about her letter, Emma said: “It is difficult to comprehend how a fire which has resulted in such loss of life and devastation has happened in 21st Century Britain.

“I welcome the announcement that there will be a Public Inquiry, but that is no substitute for taking immediate action that could prevent such an appalling tragedy happening again. I am calling on the government to provide funding to ensure that sprinklers are installed in all tower blocks. It must also become a requirement that fire alarms are fitted in communal areas. Local councils should not have to fund these steps out of their reduced budgets. The government should make the necessary money available as a matter of urgency.

“I want to thank Wolverhampton Homes for checking the cladding on its tower blocks in such a short time frame and for taking steps to consult with residents and keep them updated. Lesley Roberts, Chief Executive of Wolverhampton Homes, has assured me that she and her team will act to implement any new government advice about advice about sprinklers, alarms and the stay put policy. That is why it is vital that the government respond on these points as soon as is possible.”

You can see Wolverhampton Homes information on their website here: https://www.wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk/aboutus/news/835-fire-safety-in-tower-blocks-update

June 2017