Grenfell Tower fire eight years later: Inquiry findings, survivor demands and safety concerns

What’s changed since Grenfell? Survivors demand justice as unsafe buildings remain

Eight years on from the Grenfell Tower fire that claimed 72 lives, survivors, bereaved families and campaigners continue to press for justice, accountability and change.

A series of statements, investigations and memorial events mark the anniversary, amid ongoing frustration at the lack of prosecutions and the continued presence of unsafe buildings across the UK.

This unified report draws on coverage from The Guardian, BBC News, the Fire Protection Association (FPA), and the London Fire Brigade (LFB), reflecting equally on the legal, social, policy and safety dimensions of the aftermath.

Continued careers spark anger over lack of accountability

Officials involved in Grenfell still working in housing roles

A report by the Guardian noted that several individuals criticised during the Grenfell Tower Inquiry have continued to work in housing, building safety or government roles.

Laura Johnson, former Director of Housing at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC), was found by the inquiry to have delayed fire door safety upgrades and promoted cost-cutting changes that led to the use of combustible cladding.

She is currently interim Director of Property and Development at Barnet Homes.

Brian Martin and industry roles despite safety failings

Brian Martin, a civil servant described as a “single point of failure” on building regulations prior to the fire, continued working within government and has since served as an expert witness in cladding tribunal cases.

Martin, who the inquiry found had foreseen the dangers of ACM cladding but failed to act, was still involved in planning at the Ministry of Housing until at least 2022.

Corporate figures implicated but unprosecuted

Deborah French, former Arconic sales manager, admitted during the inquiry that she knew the panels sold could burn but did not disclose this to clients.

Despite this, she held a senior cladding position until 2023.

Nicholas Paget-Brown, RBKC’s leader at the time of the fire, now runs a public policy consultancy.

Survivors and campaigners described these developments as “a deep and bitter injustice”, while a Metropolitan Police investigation into potential offences including corporate manslaughter remains ongoing.

Bereaved call for turning point as Netflix documentary exposes industry knowledge

Documentary reveals internal company knowledge of risk

The BBC highlighted calls from bereaved parent Marcio Gomes, who appears in a new Netflix documentary Grenfell: Uncovered, for the anniversary to mark a turning point in the campaign for justice.

Internal Arconic emails reported by The Sunday Times and shown in the film indicate that senior executive Diana Perreiah knew the cladding should not have been used on tall buildings, two years before the fire.

“No accident”: families blame firms’ conduct

Gomes, whose son Logan was stillborn after the fire, said the disaster was “very much avoidable” and the product of “companies prioritising profits ahead of people’s lives”.

He urged the public to “start shouting” about the role of manufacturers and to avoid their products.

The inquiry had already concluded that Arconic, Celotex and Kingspan engaged in misleading practices and created false markets for unsafe insulation.

Ongoing government investigation into contractor misconduct

The Cabinet Office confirmed in February that seven companies are being investigated for potential breaches under the Procurement Act 2023.

The BBC reported that possible bans from public contracts are being considered for Arconic, Kingspan, Saint-Gobain, Exova, Rydon, Studio E and Harley Facades.

Unsafe buildings persist across London as survivors call for change

Over 1,400 buildings still require evacuation plans

Figures from the London Fire Brigade show 1,448 residential buildings in London currently require simultaneous evacuation plans, meaning residents cannot safely remain in place during a fire.

This includes 883 buildings over 8 metres tall.

The policy change reflects concerns over compartmentation failures similar to those seen at Grenfell.

Grenfell United criticise pace of change

Edward Daffarn, a Grenfell survivor and campaigner, said the figures show “people are still going to sleep in buildings that aren’t safe”.

He called for stronger action and hoped the Netflix documentary would pressure government to prevent companies involved from receiving public money.

Daffarn said: “We haven’t got justice yet.

“It feels wrong to be pulling the tower down while so much remains unresolved.”

Long delay in criminal charges criticised

Bereaved families have described the near-decade-long wait for criminal charges as “unbearable”.

The government has said final decisions on charges will not be made until the end of 2026.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Housing stated that progress on remediating unsafe buildings has been too slow, and announced a Remediation Acceleration Plan aimed at fixing all identified buildings by 2029.

Fire Protection Association: Final anniversary before tower deconstruction prompts reflection

Eighth anniversary marked with events and memorials

According to the Fire Protection Association, this year’s Grenfell anniversary was commemorated through community events, memorial services and the return of the Grenfell United Silent Walk.

The tower was lit with 72 beams of green light, symbolising each life lost.

Government prepares to dismantle tower

In a June 2025 site update, the government confirmed that preparatory work is under way to begin dismantling the Grenfell Tower later this year.

Officials acknowledged the site’s personal significance and promised to approach the work “respectfully and carefully”.

Community fears erasure without justice

Councillor Elizabeth Campbell, leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, said: “This anniversary is particularly poignant… and the last before the Tower is sensitively taken down.”

She reiterated the council’s responsibility for past failings and commitment to the 45 post-inquiry reform pledges.

Grenfell United described the decision to dismantle the tower without any prosecutions as a threat to public memory, writing: “They want the tower out of sight. But we won’t stop until the criminals are brought to justice.”

London Fire Brigade: Reforms implemented, but commitment to change continues

LFB completes Phase 1 Inquiry reforms

London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said the Brigade had implemented all recommendations directed at it from Phase 1 of the inquiry, including policy, equipment and training reforms.

“We will never become complacent,” Roe said, adding that further improvements are needed to prevent another tragedy.

High-rise fire response transformed

Roe highlighted upgrades in how the Brigade responds to high-rise fires, a key concern after the inquiry found that “stay put” advice contributed to the death toll.

New procedures now allow for faster evacuations and better communication during such incidents.

Ongoing remembrance and engagement with survivors

Roe reiterated that the LFB is committed to honouring the memory of those lost and listening to the Grenfell community.

He said: “We owe it to them to continue to listen, make changes and drive forward improvements.”

Grenfell Tower fire eight years later: Inquiry findings, survivor demands and safety concerns: Summary

Seventy-two people died in the Grenfell Tower fire on 14 June 2017.

Eight years later, survivors and bereaved families continue to demand prosecutions and accountability.

Several individuals criticised in the public inquiry remain in roles connected to housing and fire safety.

The Metropolitan Police is investigating potential charges including corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter.

No criminal charges have been filed as of June 2025.

Internal emails revealed that senior staff at Arconic knew the cladding was unsafe before the fire.

The UK government is investigating seven companies for potential professional misconduct.

More than 1,400 residential buildings in London currently have simultaneous evacuation plans in place.

The Grenfell Tower is scheduled to be dismantled starting autumn 2025.

Community memorial events took place to mark the anniversary.

The London Fire Brigade states it has completed all Phase 1 Inquiry recommendations.

Campaigners continue to call for justice, policy change and building safety reform.