Sadiq Khan has attacked Theresa May over what he called the ‘inconsistent, chaotic and inhumane’ treatment of Grenfell Tower survivors.
As the inquiry into the fire in the west London housing block continues, the city’s mayor accused the government of ‘institutional indifference’ to those who managed to escape the blaze.
He called on the Prime Minister to increase efforts to support those made homeless by the fire and help overseas relatives get visas to attend the official inquiry.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan (pictured at the opening of a peace garden for Grenfell yesterday) has slammed the Prime Minister over what he calls ‘institutional indifference’ to survivors
Ahead of the year anniversary of the fire which claimed 82 lives, Mr Khan told Mrs May: ‘The process of healing and securing justice will take time but more can be done now to support and care for these families, to make their lives more manageable and ensure they are in a position to participate fully in the inquiry.
‘The institutional indifference these families have faced in the 12 months since the fire is simply unacceptable.
‘Your government has failed to give the support so clearly required by the local authority as these families experienced repeated failures and broken promises from the government and Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.’
A Downing Street spokesman insisted the government has been ‘working with survivors to support them as they rebuild their lives and to ensure they get the truth and justice they deserve’.
Thursday is the year anniversary of the Grenfell Tower blaze. The structure has now been completely covered in scaffolding and screens
The spokesman added: ‘One hundred and ninety-eight of 203 households from Grenfell Tower and Grenfell Walk – 98% of households – have now accepted temporary or permanent accommodation.
‘To assist those in need, the government has spent over £46m to support recovery following the Grenfell Tower fire and committed an additional £34m to support Grenfell recovery.
‘We have provided £100,000 to support local businesses, made £3m available for community spaces and allocated £10m for ongoing mental and emotional support.
‘The prime minister is committed to helping the people of Grenfell Tower learn the facts about what happened, to see that lessons are learned and justice is done.’
On Thursday it will be 12 months since a small kitchen fire in the west London high-rise turned into the most deadly domestic blaze since the Second World War.
A spokesman for Mrs May, pictured at the G7, insisted the government is supporting victims
There will be no hearings for the five days to give those directly affected ‘the time and the space in which to remember and to reflect upon their lost ones at the distressing time of the first anniversary’, counsel to the inquiry Richard Millett said.
Members of the grieving north Kensington community will come together for a 24-hour vigil on the eve of the anniversary, to reflect on the 72 people who died.
At 1.30am, the names of the fire’s victims will be read out at St Clements’ church.
On the anniversary at midday, survivors and the bereaved will gather close to the tower’s base to observe a minute’s silence.
A community mosaic is to be unveiled, while wreaths will be laid and candles lit.