Grenfell Tower will be demolished, the government is expected to confirm

It’s been almost eight years since a devastating fire engulfed Grenfell Tower, killing 72 residents and leaving dozens of families in bereavement. 

According to a spokesperson for Grenfell Next of Kin, deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has spoken to families of the Grenfell fire victims and informed them that the building will be ‘carefully deconstructed’. She reportedly told them that the block will be razed to ground level and a memorial would be erected in its place.

The government has previously stated that there would be no changes to the site before the eighth anniversary of the tragedy, on June 14 2025. Those affected by the disaster have expressed shock at the decision (which is still yet to be officially confirmed) and say that they have been ignored. 

A statement Grenfell United, which represents survivors and bereaved families, said: ‘We’ve said this to every secretary of state for housing since the very beginning: consult the bereaved and survivors meaningfully before reaching a decision on the tower.

‘Angela Rayner could not give a reason for her decision to demolish the tower. She refused to confirm how many bereaved and survivors had been spoken to in the recent, short four-week consultation. But judging from the room alone – the vast majority of whom were bereaved – no one supported her decision.’

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A government spokesperson said: ‘The priority for the deputy prime minister is to meet with and write to the bereaved, survivors and the immediate community to let them know her decision on the future of the Grenfell Tower.

‘This is a deeply personal matter for all those affected, and the deputy prime minister is committed to keeping their voice at the heart of this.’

An official announcement is expected from the government later this week. 

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