Grenfell Tower Fire
The tragic events at Grenfell Tower in London this week have shocked us all. My thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones, friends and homes, and I would pay tribute to our resilient and brave emergency services who have done an outstanding job in the most difficult of circumstances.
I was pleased to receive assurances today from the Leader of Rushmoor Borough Council Cllr David Clifford and the Leader of Hart District Council and also from Hampshire Fire and Rescue that decisive measures are in place and action is being taken to ensure that no one in our community is at risk from the use of the Reynobond cladding material that appears to have been the cause of the fire at Grenfell spreading upwards in such a devastating and deadly manner.
If you have any concerns about fire evacuation procedures please view the Hampshire Fire and Rescue website:
https://www.hantsfire.gov.uk/keeping…/loveyourhome/highrise/
Yesterday in parliament I attended the briefing by the Fire Minister Nick Hurd MP and the Housing Minister Alok Sharma MP and I have written to the Housing Minister to request further guidance from the government on what measures should be taken by local authorities to prevent such a tragedy occurring again.
Yesterday the Prime Minster visited the scene for a briefing from the emergency services; this morning she visited Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and met with some of the injured; and this afternoon she went to Kensington to meet with residents and some of those who volunteered to help.
I am very pleased that the PM has announced that a dedicated Grenfell Tower Recovery Task Force has been formed, chaired by the PM and with representation from a number of Whitehall departments including the Treasury, Home Office and Department for Communities & Local Government in order to ensure the people who have been directly affected by this tragedy are cared for and receive the support they need.