- More than 200 households were put up in 53 hotels across London in aftermath
- 24 households are still in hotel rooms nine months after blaze that killed 72
- It is understood government will meet approximately half the cost of hotel bills
At least £21million has been spent on hotel bills for survivors of the Grenfell Tower inferno.
More than 200 households were put up in 53 hotels across London in the aftermath of the disaster. Kensington and Chelsea council said it hoped survivors would be out of the emergency accommodation by Christmas.
But 24 households are still in hotel rooms nine months after the blaze that claimed 72 lives.
The council paid £20.9million for hotel bills between June last year and mid-February, according to figures released last night. The total is understood to have now passed the £21million mark.
At least £21million has been spent on hotel bills for survivors of the Grenfell Tower inferno. More than 200 households were put up in 53 hotels across London in the aftermath of the disaster
A further £8million was spent financially supporting families and individuals who lost everything they owned.
It is understood the Government will meet approximately half the cost of the hotel bills and financial support.
Emma Dent Coad, who is the local Labour MP, said: ‘Taxpayers will be shocked to hear that our wasteful and incompetent council has already spent nearly £30million keeping survivors and bereaved families in hotels.
‘I spend a great deal of time visiting displaced families in hotels and without exception they want permanent homes which suit their needs, but are not being offered anything suitable.
‘I cannot understand why the Government hasn’t sent in commissioners to take over the rehousing process.’
Of the 209 households that required new properties, 185 have accepted an offer of a temporary or permanent home and 126 have already moved in.
Deputy council leader Kim Taylor Smith said 307 homes had been secured at a cost of £235million and efforts were being made to accelerate the process.
The Tory-run authority has committed its entire cash reserve of £250million to coping with the tragedy. Council leader Elizabeth Campbell admitted the speed of rehousing had been ‘painfully slow’.
Kensington and Chelsea council said it hoped survivors would be out of the emergency accommodation by Christmas. But 24 households are still in hotel rooms nine months after the blaze that claimed 72 lives