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Yesterday’s Grenfell Tower Inquiry report was a sobering day for Britain, and a milestone for everyone affected by this national tragedy.
Our thoughts are with the 72 people who died at Grenfell and their friends, families and loved ones, and with the huge loss still felt across their community, across London and across Britain. We also remember the six people who died at Lakanal House in our borough in 2009, and all the lives that were changed forever following that tragic day.
Southwark Council is deeply aware of the responsibility we have following the Grenfell report. We are already closely considering all its implications, and will make sure action is taken on its findings and recommendations.
Also this week we published a report supported by over 100 councils across the country, calling for action to save council housing.
My mum’s parents were given a council house in the 1950s, which took them away from corrupt landlords in central London. It was the home they lived in for the rest of their lives, their pride and joy. It gave them affordability and security. There are millions of stories like that.
London and Southwark need more council homes. Around a quarter of people in Southwark live in council housing. Southwark is one of England’s biggest council landlords and a national leader in building new homes, but we still have around 17,000 households on our council housing waiting list.
We know that for many people buying a home is a pipedream and that renting in the private sector can be both expensive and insecure.
That’s why here in Southwark we have led a national call from councils across the country for the government to work with councils to save council housing.
On Tuesday, in Westminster, we published our report with five solutions showing national government how they can enable councils to improve existing housing and build more homes, so we can support those that turn to us in need.
For too long, council housing hasn’t had the attention and funding it deserves – we are determined to change this and give more people secure, affordable homes.
Cllr Kieron Williams
Leader of Southwark Council
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