Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has defended her approach during a recent meeting with families and survivors of Grenfell Tower, amid claims that some attendees felt their voices were ignored. The meeting, held privately earlier this week, came as the Government confirmed that Grenfell Tower is set to be demolished over a process expected to take around two years.
The demolition will see the tower, which remains as a grim reminder of the 2017 fire that claimed 72 lives, being carefully taken down to ground level. Parts of the structure may be retained and returned to the site as part of a memorial if the community so desires. However, the decision has sparked controversy among some bereaved families and survivors, who criticised the Government’s plans during the meeting.
Speaking on BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Ms Rayner explained her rationale for the decision. “I felt, weighing up all of the different conversations that I had, and the engineering report, that actually the only way forward really was to sensitively make sure that we start taking the tower to ground level, but that we have a lasting memorial on that site,” she said. The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that she was determined to work with the families to develop a memorial that does justice to what many consider a sacred place.
Despite these assurances, some attendees at the meeting expressed upset and shock, claiming they had not been given a fair opportunity to have their views considered before the demolition decision was taken. Representatives from Grenfell United – a group that speaks on behalf of some bereaved families and survivors – stated that it appeared from the meeting room that “no-one supported” the Government’s decision. “Ignoring the voices of the bereaved on the future of our loved ones’ grave site is disgraceful and unforgivable,” they added.
In contrast, a spokesperson for Grenfell Next Of Kin acknowledged that while the decision is “obviously a very sensitive and difficult” one, families do understand the hard facts around safety. The Government’s position is underpinned by engineering advice that the tower is significantly damaged and will deteriorate further over time, making its careful deconstruction the only viable option.
An official update from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government stated that it will likely take around two years to progressively deconstruct the tower through a process of careful and sensitive dismantling behind protective wrapping. The demolition is not expected to commence before the eighth anniversary of the tragedy in June, ensuring that any changes occur at an appropriately respectful time.
What remains of Grenfell Tower has stood since the devastating fire, currently marked by a covering featuring a large green heart with the words “forever in our hearts”. Opinions on the tower’s future have been divided; some have hoped that parts of it might be preserved as a memorial, while others contend that retaining any remains would only serve to deepen the pain of the loss.
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The Government has clarified that retaining many of the building’s floors is not practicable if a permanent memorial is to be created – one that must last in perpetuity. “Taking the engineering advice into account, the Deputy Prime Minister concluded that it would not be fair to keep some floors of the building that are significant to some families, whilst not being able to do so for others, and knowing that for some, this would be deeply upsetting,” a statement read.
In parallel, the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission is consulting on plans for a permanent memorial, with recommendations including the creation of a “sacred space” designed as a peaceful area for remembrance and reflection. A planning application for this memorial is expected to be submitted in late 2026. The Government has pledged to support the commission’s work and to ensure that any materials or elements from the site are carefully preserved for potential inclusion in the memorial, should the community wish.
A petition has since been launched by a survivor calling for more effective consultation on the tower’s future. Emma O’Connor, who survived the fire on the 20th floor, argued that the decision to demolish should be stalled until there is greater community engagement. In response to these claims, Downing Street has insisted that Ms Rayner has held “multiple engagements with the community on multiple occasions” and that her actions reflect the Government’s commitment to handling this deeply emotive and personal issue sensitively.
