Prime Minister breaks promise to keep Grenfell Tower survivors in the area
1 min read
Theresa May has reneged on a promise to rehouse survivors of the Grenfell Tower blaze in the borough and admitted some may have to move up to nine miles away.
The Prime Minister said that some survivors of the blaze may be rehoused in other parts of London despite an assurance from Alok Sharma, the housing minister, that this wouldn’t happen.
Mr Sharma had told MPs on Thursday that the “government will guarantee that every single family from Grenfell Tower will be rehoused in the local area”.
However, he made the promise during a charged debate in Westminster Hall when taken to task by MPs over safety standards in the block.
Announcing a £5 million fund for fire victims, Mrs May said she would “guarantee to rehouse people as close as practically possible to where they previously lived, meaning they can continue to access the same public services such as their local school or local GP”.
However, the boroughs that neighbour Kensington and Chelsea, including Brent and Wentsworth, reach as far as eight or nine miles away from Grenfell Tower.
Kensington and Chelsea council said: “It is possible the council will have to explore housing options that may become available in other parts of the capital.”
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