Learning lessons from the Grenfell tragedy

In recent weeks some of us have found our attention drawn further afield, in the light of the tragedy at Grenfell Tower. Is there learning for us across the rest of the country?

Without prejudging what the public inquiry concludes, it seems as if Kensington and Chelsea Council may have under-invested in social housing and given a lower level of priority to fire safety, compared with the desire to reimburse richer council tax payers.

It raises legitimate questions for all parts of the country. In the areas where I chair local safeguarding children boards, since Grenfell we have scrutinised the fire safety arrangements in all social housing developments, hospitals and schools. We have provided the opportunity for all public agencies to challenge the housing organisations, the fire service and the council on their arrangements. I have to say that in each area we have been impressed by the amount of thought that had gone into the issue even before Grenfell, and we have felt assured that a proper set of values is being applied. But it has thrown up some big issues.