We have all been appalled at the horrific death toll, injury and loss caused by the fire in Grenfell Tower. The Government must ensure that they do all they can to reassure people living in high-rise blocks, including student accommodation, that they are safe from fire. This requires providing the funding for local authorities to carry out inspections of cladding on every one of their tower blocks and to remove the cladding if found to be combustible - all within a specified timeframe.

On Wednesday 28 June 2017 I submitted a series of written Parliamentary Questions to Ministers to ask if the Government will cover the additional cost for councils to carry out checks on tower blocks, to publish the review of building regulations which has been delayed since the Lakanal House fire inquest ruling in 2013, and to examine the Government's record on funding for the Fire Brigade since 2010.

Full list of questions:

Response due from Government - 4 and 5 July 2017

• To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if his department will give councils the resources to conduct cladding inspections on blocks over seven stories and to remove cladding if necessary within specified timescales.
  
  
• To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if his department will instruct local authorities to retrofit sprinklers in high-rise blocks and provide the funding for this.
  
  
• To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when his department will publish the review of Part B of the Building Regulations following the Lakanal House fire inquest in 2013.
  
  
• To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if his department will create a requirement to upload records of fire safety inspections and refurbishments undertaken to a centrally monitored database, on a) local authorities, b) housing associations, and c) private landlords.
  
  
• To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when the last fire safety inspections were undertaken in student accommodation blocks in a) the London Borough of Southwark and b) in London.
  
  
• To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding has been given to the Fire Brigade in each of the last 7 years, a) in the London Borough of Southwark, and b) in London.
  
  
• To ask the Secretary of Statefor the Home Department what number of firefighters were employed in each of the last 7 years, a) in the London Borough of Southwark, and b) in London.

You can follow my tweets on the issue of Grenfell Tower and fire safety on @harrietharman

You can follow my
tweets on the issue of Grenfell Tower and fire safety on @harrietharman

Following the appalling tragedy of so many lives lost at Grenfell House, I had a meeting at Southwark Town Hall with Southwark Council to review fire safety in my constituency of Camberwell and Peckham. 

There are 54 council blocks in my constituency which are over 7 floors.  The council, as landlord, has responsibility for the safety of residents in those blocks.  There are other blocks over 7 floors which are housing association or student accommodation.  Though the landlord has principle responsibility in those blocks, the council also has responsibility for enforcing building regulations.

The council rightly seeks to ensure the highest possible standards of fire safety

*that requires the most proactive and professional supervision of refurbishment contracts

*regular fire inspections

*enforcement of fire safety clauses in tenancy agreements - such as not storing furniture on balconies

*being alert to any concerns from tenants about fire safety

Since the inquest in 2013 and prosecution of the council in 2017 after the Lakanal House fire in 2009, the council have, rightly, been taking a particularly proactive approach to fire safety.  And after the Grenfell Tower fire the Cabinet member for housing – Cllr Stephanie Cryan - wrote to tenants informing them of the council’s programme of works to improve fire safety in tower blocks, telling them who to contact if they have concerns and reminding them to avoid creating fire hazards.

* The council are carrying out fire safety inspections on all high-rise blocks, schools and libraries.

*  At my request the council have agreed to establish a “real time” dashboard of information featuring every tower block in my constituency with updated information as to: if there’s cladding, if so whether it’s been tested and what was the result of the testing, when last refurbished, when last fire inspected, any fire safety complaints from tenants.  In the first instance this will be available to myself and local councillors and subsequently to be put online and made available for the public.  This will enable me to monitor in real time council work on fire safety in tower blocks in my constituency.

*  The council have agreed to invite the representatives of tenants and residents associations of council blocks over seven stories in Camberwell and Peckham to a meeting to hear any of their concerns and update them on safety measures - at the Employment Centre on Peckham Road in the next fortnight.

The 3 MPs have decided to write to the government:

*reiterating our protest about the cuts to the councils budget

*reminding them that the restrictions on rent rises further undermines the council’s ability to pay for maintenance and improvement

*pointing out that the additional post Grenfell tower checks will require extra resources which the government should make available to the council  

*insisting that the cost of further checks and fire safety improvements must not be at the expense of maintenance for existing tenants or postponement of necessary upgrading of kitchens, bathrooms etc. for which tenants have been waiting

*to insist that leaseholders should not have to be charged for a share of the fire upgrading which might be necessary.  They have already been paying for capital improvements and additional obligations would be unfair on them

Since the Grenfell Tower fire I’ve received 11 emails concerning fire safety. 9 in respect of tower blocks, 1 about escape routes and 1 about rubbish outside a stairwell.

This morning I joined Brendan Cox, Members of Parliament and their families in the HoC chamber for the unveiling of the coat of arms in memory of our beloved Jo. It was a beautiful occasion with lots of MPs' children present. The coat of arms has symbols to represent Jo's tireless work and campaigning for people in Syria, refugees, her constituents in Batley and Spen in Yorkshire, the Labour Party and women's rights as well as her love of rivers and mountains.

This morning I joined Peckham Citizens, Councillor Mark Williams, Head of Regeneration and New Homes at Southwark Council, and local Lane Councillor Jasmine Ali to campaign for housing & jobs for local people on the Aylesham redevelopment, which is to bring up to 1000 new homes and 50 new shops into the area.  

Our cross-party Early Day Motion tabled today - Government must abolish unfair tribunal time limit and end pregnancy discrimination. 54,000 pregnant women forced from work each year:

That this House notes the key findings of research funded by the Department for Business,  Energy and Industrial Strategy and undertaken by the Equality and Human Rights  Commission that some 54,000 women per year are forced out of work by pregnancy or  maternity discrimination, and that three out of four working mothers endure negative or discriminatory treatment at work; further notes that four out of five women who responded  to a recent survey by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the  Maternal Mental Health Alliance experienced at least one episode of a mental health  problem during or after their pregnancy; is concerned that, due to a lack of free legal advice,  the prohibitive cost of employment tribunal fees and a restrictive time limit of three  months, fewer than one per cent of the women affected by pregnancy or maternity  discrimination bring an employment tribunal claim; welcomes the clear recommendations  by the Equality and Human Rights Commission and both the Justice Committee and Women and Equalities Committee that the time limit for pregnancy and maternity discrimination claims be increased to six months; and calls on the Government to demonstrate its very welcome commitment to tackling such unlawful discrimination by acting on this recommendation at the earliest possible opportunity. 

Sponsors: Caroline Lucas MP, Jo Swinson MP, Harriet Harman MP, Alison Thewliss MP, Jess Phillips MP, Liz Saville Roberts MP

You can view an up to date list of all the MPs who have signed to support our EDM here: http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2017-19/15

Today the Prime Minister made a statement in the House of Commons about the Grenfell Tower fire. I challenged her to get a grip on the tragedy personally and use Cobra to call together all local authorities to require them to check the cladding on every one of their tower blocks, and to give councils the resources they need to conduct these inspections, to replace cladding if found to be combustible and fit sprinklers – all within a specified timescale.

You can read the full debate here.

Everyone is horrified by the Grenfell Tower fire and heartbroken for the families of those who lost their lives or are missing and for all those who've lost their homes.  But there is an additional worry for tenants and leaseholders in the 100s of flats in the dozens of high-rise blocks in my constituency of Camberwell and Peckham about whether they are safe.

The Grenfell fire brought back horrible memories of the tragic fire in Lakanal House where 3 women and 3 children died.  Both Lakanal and Grenfell Tower had been built so that if there was a fire it would remain contained in the flat where it started but not spread.  Both blocks had had refurbishment.  And in both blocks a fire which started in one flat spread.  In both blocks the fire brigade orders were for residents to stay in their flats.  In both blocks that meant that when the fire spread people lost the chance to escape. 

The Coroner who conducted the inquest into the 6 Lakanal deaths pointed out that the improvements had damaged the fire safety measures, that after the improvements the block should have been inspected and that once the fire was spreading the fire brigade advice should have been not “stay put” but “leave immediately”.

So it was appalling to see history repeat itself, the lessons not learnt and the scale of the loss of life so much greater.

Clearly the rulings from the Lakanal inquest in 2013 and prosecution in 2017 had not been acted on.

Last Thursday I spoke in Parliament in response to the statement by Fire Minister, Nick Hurd MP and called on the Government to:

*give councils the resources they need to increase their fire inspections, supervise contractors working on improvements and install sprinklers.

*review and update the building regulations.

*award Legal Aid to the residents so that their voice can be heard in the public inquiry.  The Fire Service and the council will have QCs - at public expense.  It will be a travesty if the residents, who had to run for their lives, just have to sit in the public gallery.

*ensure that the Grenfell Tower residents are rehoused in the area and that problems with their bank, insurance and ID documents are sorted.

*make sure that hospitals and ermgency services have enough resources to deal with the survivors.

*provide the money to ensure survivors are rehoused in the area, not sent miles away.

The community response has been fantastic, but as in Lakanal, Grenfell survivors have fled their flats with nothing - no bank cards, no ID. They need help if they are to be able to go back to work or travel. Charities have been wonderful but the government must step in. 

Southwark Council’s responded swiftly after the Grenfell Tower fire, writing to tenants and leaseholders about fire safety. I’ve asked Council Leader Peter John to bring together residents from the high-rise blocks in my constituency to hear any concerns and update them on refurbishments, cladding, fire instructions and inspections.  I’ve asked Southwark Fire Brigade and King’s College Hospital if they need more resources.  Kings have taken 12 Grenfell casualties and are still caring for victims of the London Bridge attack. 

It’s not true, as some are saying, that Labour and Tory governments are all the same on social housing.  The last Labour government invested billions in council homes but with the Tories it’s all cuts. Councils want to improve fire safety, but the Tories have cut their budgets by half since 2010, making it harder to supervise contractors or install sprinklers. This Government is responsible for the safety of people in public housing and cuts cost lives. 

I will continue to press the Government and work with Southwark Council to ensure everyone is safe from fire.

Following the horrific attack on worshippers outside Finsbury Park Mosque on Monday 19 June, I have written today to the Imams of Peckham Islamic Centre, New Peckham Mosque, Camberwell Islamic Centre, BECA Masjid and the Old Kent Road Mosque to express my sympathy and to urge anyone who experiences Islamophobia to report it to the police immediately. Full text of my letter:

Dear Imam,

I am so dismayed to be writing to you again following a terrorist attack. My thoughts are with everyone affected by the Finsbury Park Mosque attack and with all those who pray at your mosque. 

This was a horrific attack on innocent people observing Ramadan. I want to assure you that we will not tolerate this and I’m sure the police will bring the perpetrators to justice.

Southwark Police have told me that following the attack, dedicated ward officers will be visiting mosques in the borough each day to reassure communities, especially those observing Ramadan. If you, or any of those who worship at your mosque experience harassment, I urge you to report it to the police as soon as possible.

This is no doubt an extremely difficult time for the whole community. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any concerns you have or issues you want to raise.

Best wishes,

Harriet Harman

In light of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, I am arranging via Cllr Peter John, Leader of Southwark Council, a meeting on fire safety with the tenants' representatives of the council tower blocks in Camberwell and Peckham which are higher than seven stories. Full letter:

Everyone is horrified by the Grenfell Tower fire and heartbroken for the families of those who lost their lives or are missing and for all those who've lost their homes.  But there is an additional worry for tenants and leaseholders in the 100s of flats in the dozens of high-rise blocks in my constituency of Camberwell and Peckham about whether they are safe.

It was appalling to see history repeat itself, the lessons from Lakanal not learnt and the scale of the loss of life so much greater.

Last Thursday I spoke in Parliament in response to the statement by Fire Minister, Nick Hurd MP and called on the Government to:

*give councils the resources they need to increase their fire inspections, supervise contractors working on improvements and install sprinklers.

*review and update the building regulations.

*award Legal Aid to the residents so that their voice can be heard in the public inquiry.  The Fire Service and the council will have QCs - at public expense.  It will be a travesty if the residents, who had to run for their lives, just have to sit in the public gallery.

*ensure that the Grenfell Tower residents are rehoused in the area and that problems with their bank, insurance and ID documents are sorted.

* make sure that hospitals and emergency services have enough resources to deal with the survivors.

*provide the money to ensure survivors are rehoused in the area, not sent miles away.

The community response has been fantastic, but as in Lakanal, Grenfell survivors have fled their flats with nothing - no bank cards, no ID. They need help if they are to be able to go back to work or travel. Charities have been wonderful but the government must step in. 

Huge thanks to the brilliant Southwark Labour team and the people of Camberwell and Peckham for re-electing me as their Member of Parliament.

I was proud to take the oath today in Parliament and will continue to do all I can to represent people in Camberwell and Peckham.

Parents at Lyndhurst Primary School are dreading the Tory education cuts. Strong backing for UK Labour this morning. Thanks to local councillors Radha Burgess, Mark Williams and Ian Wingfield for joining me. 

Tonight I attended a vigil in Potters Field Park to remember all those who were killed or injured in the awful terror attack in London Bridge on Saturday, with Southwark Council Leader Peter John OBE, Neil Coyle, Helen Hayes, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott MP. I've contacted the emergency trauma team at King’s College Hospital to thank them for their dedication and expertise in caring for the injured.

Thanks to traders and shoppers in Peckham for their staunch support of Southwark Labour and thanks to terrific local councillors Jasmine Ali, Johnson Situ and Olivia Lambe for joining the mighty #lanemassive and I in Peckham today. 

Utter determination in team @Vernon_Coaker to re-elect this champion for local people in Gedling. It was a pleasure to join Gedling CLP and Nottingham Labour members on the campaign trail today. 

Such a warm welcome for Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, Neil Coyle and Labour at the Old Kent Road Mosque this afternoon. Ramadan Kareem to all those fasting! 

All women's campaign session this evening to get Neil Coyle re-elected in Bermondsey and Old Southwark! Great to be joined by Southwark Labour councillors, Lady Basildon, Shadow Leader in the House of Lords, and the wonderful Emily Berrington - but Baby Esme stole the show!

Under the Tories, rail fares are up 27% & overcrowding and delays are increasing. A Labour government would cap rail fares and take national rail back into public ownership.

Thanks to the Southwark Labour team who joined me to campaign at South Bermondsey station this morning. 

I've signed the Safe Lives pledge to commit to fight for my local Idvas and help keep domestic violence victims #SafeAtHome.

What is an Idva?

An Idva is a specialist professional who works with a victim of domestic abuse to develop a trusting relationship. They can help a victim with everything they need to become safe and rebuild their life, and represent their voice at a Multi-agency Risk Assessment Conference (Marac), as well as helping them to navigate the criminal justice process and working with the different statutory agencies to provide wraparound support. 

The impact of an Idva

Following support from an Idva service, at the closure of their cases:

• Nearly 60% of victims reported cessation of abuse

• 84% of victims reported feeling safer

• 81% of victims felt their quality of life had improved

Two out of three Idva services say they don't have access to sustainable funding. If we're going to keep more people safe at home, this has to change. 

I'm backing the BPAS 'My Pledge, Her Choice' campaign and have signed their pledge to commit to defend a woman's right to choose in Parliament.