Grenfell inquiry begins: The numbers that lay bare the funding crisis hampering high-rise improvements

(Image: The Grenfell Tower fire during the early hours as the block was ablaze)

The public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire opened today.

It’s the start of a long process, with the interim report not due to be published until Easter.

The inquiry’s remit encompasses the cause and spread of the fire, high-rise regulations, and the actions of the local authority, Kensington and Chelsea Council.

The fire, which killed at least 80 people on 14 June, has pushed the fire-safety debate beyond the fire-safety sector and into the national media. Long frustrated with being stonewalled by councils and central government, suddenly leading fire-safety advocates were suddenly thrust in front of TV cameras to explain to the world how such a thing could have happened.

Widened debate

The debate focused on cladding initially but has widened to almost every aspect of fire safety. So horrendous was the tragedy – and the charred remains of Grenfell will stand as an unavoidable, macabre reminder until a demolition planned for the end of 2018 – that surely this time there’s enough momentum to make substantive action over fire safety deficiencies in social and high-rise housing.

That central and local government are finally taking the issue seriously is no cause to celebrate – it shouldn’t have taken such loss of life to jolt government into action. And where there’s a will there isn’t always a way where money is involved – as our infographic below shows.

Anyone who wishes to publish this infographic on their own website is very welcome to. Email me at [email protected] if you want an embed code or JPG.

• This story originally appeared on SHP Online sister site, IFSEC Global

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