This press release was issued on 14/06/17

Stop privatisation; improve existing and build a new generation of first class council housing
Press Statement for release on 14 Jun 2017
Tenants die when landlords don't listen
Tenant groups are horrified and scared after the devastating fire at Grenfell Tower in west London last night. The fire has killed and injured many, and is devastating the lives of hundreds.

In sorrow we send our sympathy and offers of practical support. And in anger we demand an end to the murderous disregard and contempt for tenants, by the landlord in Kensington: see Grenfell Action Group warning.

Across the country other landlords are ignoring safety warnings from tenants and others - Fire safety report on 4,000 blocks ignored. Government cuts funding for major repairs and maintenance, promotes demolition and describes our homes, estates and communities as 'brownfield sites'.
This is the context of the disastrous failure to act on tenants' warnings.

Eileen Short, chair of Defend Council Housing says: 'Grenfell tenants are dead and injured, and homeless, because their council did not listen. Across the country landlords ignore tenants' warnings, in order to cut costs or avoid works. Yet tomorrow the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and others, find time and money to hob nob with developers. It has to stop.
We need a full, immediate safety enquiry into Grenfell and every other block. We need full funding for any improvements including sprinkler systems, recommended by fire services. And we need to listen to tenants views on redevelopment and warnings about the risks to homes and lives.'

Notes
Tenants will protest tomorrow from 8am outside a Developers' forum in Berkeley Sq W1J which Kensington and Chelsea council is due to attend.
A housing protest on 24 June to demand action on homes and repeal of the Housing and Planning Act will also demand action on safety: 24 June from 12 noon at Parliament Square SW1P 3AD - see
leaflet. Tenant groups are horrified and scared after the devastating fire at Grenfell Tower in west London last night. The fire has killed and injured many, and is devastating the lives of hundreds.

In sorrow we send our sympathy and offers of practical support. And in anger we demand an end to the murderous disregard and contempt for tenants, by the landlord in Kensington: see Grenfell Action Group warning.

Across the country other landlords are ignoring safety warnings from tenants and others - Fire safety report on 4,000 blocks ignored. Government cuts funding for major repairs and maintenance, promotes demolition and describes our homes, estates and communities as 'brownfield sites'.
This is the context of the disastrous failure to act on tenants' warnings.

Eileen Short, chair of Defend Council Housing says: 'Grenfell tenants are dead and injured, and homeless, because their council did not listen. Across the country landlords ignore tenants' warnings, in order to cut costs or avoid works. Yet tomorrow the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and others, find time and money to hob nob with developers. It has to stop.
We need a full, immediate safety enquiry into Grenfell and every other block. We need full funding for any improvements including sprinkler systems, recommended by fire services. And we need to listen to tenants views on redevelopment and warnings about the risks to homes and lives.'

Notes
Tenants will protest tomorrow from 8am outside a Developers' forum in Berkeley Sq W1J which Kensington and Chelsea council is due to attend.
A housing protest on 24 June to demand action on homes and repeal of the Housing and Planning Act will also demand action on safety: 24 June from 12 noon at Parliament Square SW1P 3AD - see
leaflet.

Further information from www.defendcouncilhousing.org.uk
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