Secretary of State for the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), Michael Gove, penned a public message to the residents of Grenfell summarising topics discussed at a community meeting in May.
Gove said the government is “determined to learn the lessons of the past” by tackling issues that are important to the residents of Grenfell.
In the message, he highlighted that the Grenfell Tower Inquiry report is expected to be delivered to the Prime Minister in early 2024, and is currently being finalised.
Michael Gove
Gove touched upon residents’ concerns on the progress of the criminal investigation for Grenfell to which he has said is ongoing. However, for queries on the future of the tower, Gove added that he will not make a decision “without having further conversations with [the residents] to understand [their] views”.
The letter then noted the ongoing progression of the independent Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission to develop a “community-led” vision for a memorial.
He added that he is aware of the issues raised by residents regarding financial pressure and agreed with the residents’ thoughts on an increase in investment needed in North Kensington, but that he will “continue[s] to support all measures to improve the quality of social housing conditions” and offered DLUHC contacts for residents to speak to for further matters.
In addition, the Secretary agreed on the need for change in social housing and mentioned The Social Housing Regulation Bill – which he said is currently being debated in parliament – “contains measures directly influenced by the experience of Grenfell Tower residents”. He highlighted that “monitoring and enforcement action will take place in more cases where there is a breach of standards”.
Gove said that he is “determined” to hold developers to account if they have profited from unsafe buildings and also to protect leaseholders from “paying for costly repairs”.
He added: “In January, my department issued contracts to developers committing them to undertake or pay for repairs in unsafe buildings.
“Eligible developers who do not sign the contract will be prevented from operating freely in the housing market. Only those developers who behave responsibly will be trusted to build the homes of the future.”
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