Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister and housing secretary, has informed bereaved families and survivors that Grenfell Tower will be carefully deconstructed. The announcement was made during a meeting on Wednesday evening, according to a spokesperson for Grenfell Next of Kin.
Further details regarding the demolition plan are expected to be released by the government this week. Previously, authorities had stated that no structural changes would be made before the eighth anniversary of the fire, which claimed 72 lives in June 2017.
Some families have raised concerns about the decision, with calls for the tower to remain standing until criminal prosecutions are carried out against those responsible for the disaster. The prolonged wait for justice has been described as “unbearable.”
Grenfell United, which represents survivors and bereaved families, criticised the lack of meaningful consultation before the decision was made. The group stated that Rayner was unable to provide a clear justification for the demolition.
Since 2017, the remains of the tower have been covered with a protective structure featuring a large green heart and the words “forever in our hearts.”
A government spokesperson confirmed Rayner’s priority was to personally inform those affected, ensuring their voices remain central to decision-making.
The final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, published in September, concluded that the disaster was the result of longstanding failures by both the government and the construction industry. Inquiry chair Sir Martin Moore-Bick found that the high-rise was clad with combustible materials due to “systematic dishonesty” from firms involved in supplying the materials. He stated that the deaths were entirely avoidable, and the tower’s residents were “badly failed” by authorities, through both incompetence and, in some cases, dishonesty and greed.
In May 2024, investigators announced they would need until late 2025 to complete their inquiry, with potential criminal charges expected to be determined by the end of 2026.
Separately, the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission has been developing plans for a permanent memorial in the area. A 2023 report recommended a “sacred space” for remembrance, with a shortlist of five potential designs drawn last month. The commission aims to submit a planning application by late 2026.
