The recent Grenfell Tower Inquiry report is yet another example of the failures of our society, institutions, and governance. It forces us to look at the culture, attitudes, regulations, truth, and candour of our society. The report reveals the vast breadth of failure and blame, pointing fingers towards the government, construction industry, companies, and contractors alike. It is a moment for Sir Keir Starmer, as prime minister, to find the words and steer the much-needed response that the report demands.
Looking at this in the context of housing, the government has promised 1.5 million new homes within the next five years. However, this promise is rendered meaningless when there are hundreds of thousands of people living in flats deemed unsafe. These unsafe homes are often unwanted and unsellable, leaving people trapped there, awaiting improvements that are long overdue. This has caused the housing market to gum up, with people unable to move at a time when there is huge demand for more homes. Meanwhile, developers, contractors, and the wider construction industry, often criticized, continue to be a part of the solution to the housing crisis. The question is whether the government can meet the ambitious home-building target quickly without cutting corners that might spark the next tragedy, while simultaneously addressing the injustices exposed by Grenfell.
The Grenfell report has created an opportunity to reflect on the public inquiry and the failures at Grenfell Tower. Does it leave us feeling depressed and pessimistic or capable of believing that justice is being done? The reality is that the report is only a work-in-progress and changes in governance, regulation, culture, attitude and criminal justice are still awaited by many. The government has promised to provide a full response to the Grenfell report in six months and to provide annual updates on the implementation of recommendations.
In conclusion, Grenfell Tower was a tragedy and failure of vast proportions. It was a revealing moment in our society that highlighted the problems in our governance, regulations, and culture. The report will require a significant response from the government, and it remains to be seen whether it can meet the ambitious housing target without cutting corners. We must reflect on the weight of this moment and the public inquiry. It should leave us with a sense of urgency to address the injustices and improve our governance, regulations, and culture instead of leaving us feeling defeated and pessimistic
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