‘Marking its own homework’: Independent oversight proposed for Grenfell inquiry implementation
Iain Hoey
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Committee raises concerns over Government’s response to fire safety reform
The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has called on the UK Government to introduce an independent national oversight mechanism for monitoring how it implements the Grenfell Tower inquiry recommendations.
According to the Housing Committee, the Government should not be “marking its own homework” when responding to public inquiry findings, including those from Grenfell, Hillsborough and the infected blood scandal.
The call was made in a letter to Secretary of State Angela Rayner and Minister for Building Safety Alex Norris, published on 22 May 2025.
Recommendation made ahead of Grenfell fire anniversary
The Housing Committee’s letter comes one month before the eighth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire.
It urged the Government to embed the oversight function within the proposed ‘Hillsborough Law’ and apply it to all future public inquiry recommendations.
The Committee stated this approach could help avoid repeated state-related failures, referencing historical disasters where recommendations were not fully acted on.
The Committee reached this conclusion following a short inquiry into how the Government is responding to the recommendations in the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 report.
Gaps identified in engagement, building control and fire safety
The Committee’s correspondence raised concerns about several aspects of current fire safety reform.
It pointed to delays in building safety sign-off, limitations in building control capacity, and a lack of clarity around the Building Safety Regulator’s remit.
It also addressed fire and rescue service resourcing, the application of Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs), and the future of the Building Safety Levy.
The Committee stated that engagement with residents, particularly those affected by Grenfell, remains inadequate and must be improved.
Chair calls for Government accountability and inclusion
Committee Chair Florence Eshalomi said: “It’s right that the Government have accepted all the recommendations from a Phase 2 report that outlined deep failings that led to the Grenfell disaster.
“But how can the loved ones of the Grenfell victims be asked to trust the Government to mark their own homework when they have spent nearly eight years fighting for answers as to why people were denied the most basic level of safety?
“That’s why as a Committee we strongly endorse calls for an independent mechanism to hold Government to account on implementing the Phase 2 recommendations.”
Florence Eshalomi added: “Unfortunately, it’s clear that there are still groups, particularly those from minority ethnic backgrounds, who feel that they have not been able to fully contribute to these processes.
“Before making any future decisions as part of its management of the Grenfell site, the Government must take steps to address these issues, including by ensuring they have up-to-date contact details of those affected by the fire and that everyone on this list is contacted and their input sought.”
She continued: “The Grenfell fire highlighted the toxic stigma too often faced by those living in social housing, where resident concerns were cruelly dismissed, neglected and ignored.
“As a Committee, we are determined to shine a light on this issue and to hold the Government to account for their role in addressing the systematic failings in building safety, product standards and testing, and fire safety exposed by the tragedy at Grenfell.
“Never again must people be left without such basic levels of safety in their own home.”
Fire safety in care homes highlighted as ongoing concern
The letter also addressed fire risk in the UK’s care sector.
The Committee said it was concerned by London Fire Brigade Commissioner Andy Roe’s remarks that the safety of existing care homes “keeps me awake at night.”
The Housing Committee questioned why the Government has opted to mandate sprinklers only in new care homes and not in existing facilities.
It urged an immediate review of that decision and warned that current fire safety policies in the sector may not go far enough to protect vulnerable residents.
Independent oversight proposed for Grenfell inquiry implementation: Summary
The Housing Committee has written to Secretary of State Angela Rayner and Minister Alex Norris calling for an independent oversight mechanism.
The letter was published on 22 May 2025.
It recommended including this mechanism in the proposed Hillsborough Law.
The Committee stated this could apply to all public inquiry recommendations, including those from the Grenfell Tower inquiry.
It warned that without oversight, future governments could repeat past mistakes.
Concerns were raised about delays in building safety sign-offs.
The letter also cited gaps in fire service resources and building control capacity.
It addressed poor engagement with affected Grenfell residents.
Committee Chair Florence Eshalomi said the Government cannot be trusted to monitor its own performance.
She said minority ethnic groups feel excluded from the process.
The Committee called for up-to-date contact details for affected individuals.
The letter raised concerns about fire safety in existing care homes.
It referenced comments from London Fire Brigade Commissioner Andy Roe.
The Committee urged the Government to reconsider its decision on sprinkler mandates.