Oliver Fisher calls Government to act on Phase 2 recommendations with Oversight
In his closing submissions on 10th November 2022, Counsel to the Grenfell Inquiry Richard Millett KC stated :
“The families of those who died and the wider public want to know who is to blame for this tragedy, how culpability is shared, and what will be done about it. Based on a close study and analysis of the facts you can and you must help them answer that question.
“It is only then that the merry-go-round can stop, and the families can start to get some kind of closure.”
The Phase 2 report published on 4th September 2024 makes a number of significant findings and recommendations , apportioning responsibility with clarity. The question next is whether and truly recommendations will be acted on with the swiftness it so clearly requires.
Oliver Fisher calls on the Government to urgently implement recommendations of the inquiry. All too often in the past, such reports are received with open arms and approval, only to end up gathering dust in some departmental backwater. The lessons of Grenfell must be learned and the mindset and culture of government (central and local ) has to change in addition to the changes required to legislation and regulation.
Consequently, whilst we welcome the recommendation of a public accessible record of recommendations made by select committees, coroners and public inquiries together with a description of the steps taken in response – the implementation of such a recommendation must include the need for the establishment of an Independent National Oversight body by statute to preserve, monitor and enforce action.
Avikar Singh, Russell Conway and Callum Jones form the Inquiry Team at Oliver Fisher.