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Boris Johnson makes statement to MPs about Grenfell fire inquiry report – live news Boris Johnson makes statement to MPs about Grenfell fire inquiry report – live news
(32 minutes later)
Johnson says the report will be “harrowing” for survivors.
But he says he hopes it will show them that Sir Martin Moore-Bick is determined to get at the truth.
Johnson says he has never met any firefighter anything less than totally committed to public safety.
He says he will ensure the lessons of Grenfell Tower are accepted.
Where Moore-Bick says the government should take responsibility for fire safety, the government will legislate.
And he says the government will accept all the report’s recommendations for central government.
Johnson says it is easy for MPs to have 20/20 hindsight.
But they do not have to run into fires like firefighters, he says.
Labour’s Rushanara Ali asks if Johnson regrets the cuts the fire services he implemented as London mayor. And does he accept that the regulators have had their powers reduced by the government.
Johnson says the fire service arrived on the scene within minutes. He says today’s report does not make any criticism about resources.
Johnson says the fire presented an unprecedented challenge for the fire service.
He says Moore-Bick does not question the actions of any of the rank and file firefighters at Grenfell Tower. Moore-Bick said they showed courage and “selfless devotion to duty” as they faced choking smoke and temperature up to 1,000 degrees, he says.
But the report says the firefighters were faced with a situation for which they had not been properly prepared, he says.
He says the report says there was a serious failure of stated policies.
The failure to order an evacuation of the fire after it was clear the fire was out of control probably led to the deaths of people who could have been saved, the report says.
Johnson says fire procedure in blocks of flats is based on the “stay put” policy. In most circumstances this is the best policy. But at Grenfell Tower that was not the case. By 1.30am it was clear compartmentalisation (the theory that a fire will be contained) had failed. By 1.50am it was not too late to evacuate. But senior officers could not conceive of a situation in which compartmentalisation might not work.
By the time an evacuation was ordered, the tower’s single staircase was filled with impenetrable smoke.
Johnson says the report is clear that the cladding was responsible for the fire escalating in the way that it did. It was because of the cladding that a routine fire ended up killing so many people.
He says Moore-Bick is clear that the cladding that was installed contravened building regulations.
Labour’s David Lammy asks what the government is being done to help people who are still living in flats with this cladding.
Johnson says the government has allocated money to remove this cladding. He accepts that progress on getting rid of it has not been as fast as he would like. All buildings owned by central or local government have had this removed, or at least have had the removal work scheduled.
But in the private sector progress is slower, he says.
Matthew Offord, a Conservative, asks what will happen to owners who do not remove the cladding by the June 2020 deadline.
Johnson says the government is planning to name them. The people in those blocks are safe, because of 24 hour patrols. But the government needs to go further, he says. He says the government will take action to force owners to remove this cladding.
Johnson says this stage of the inquiry looked at what happened.
The next stage will look at why it happened. That will consider, among other things, why concerns raised by residents were ignored.
Johnson says the government will allow time for MPs to debate the report at a later point, when they have had time to read it.
Johnson says for too long those living in Grenfell Tower had their voices ignored – before the fire, and after.
He says when firefighters were first called to Grenfell Tower, after a fire started by a faulty fridge, they thought it was a routine call. But the fire expanded rapidly. Within 45 minutes it was clear that the inferno was out of control.
He says there were almost 300 people in the tower, 72 of whom died.
Many people who lived together died together, he says.
And those who survived saw everything they owned reduced to dust and ash, he says.
Johnson says Theresa May ordered an inquiry soon afterwards. She was determined that the survivors would not have to wait years for justice.
Today Sir Martin Moore-Bick has published the first report from his inquiry, Johnson says. He says it is almost 1,000 pages long.
The full report is available here.
And an executive summary is here (pdf).
Boris Johnson is now opening a three-hour debate on the first report from the Grenfell Tower.Boris Johnson is now opening a three-hour debate on the first report from the Grenfell Tower.
Our main story about the report is here.Our main story about the report is here.
Grenfell Tower fire survivors welcome damning inquiry reportGrenfell Tower fire survivors welcome damning inquiry report
John Bercow is now thanking his staff, and his wife and children for their support. His voice briefly cracks with emotion, and afterwards there is a brief round of applause.John Bercow is now thanking his staff, and his wife and children for their support. His voice briefly cracks with emotion, and afterwards there is a brief round of applause.
He announces that Tricia Hillas, the canon pastor at St Paul’s Cathedral, has been appointed as the next Speaker’s chaplain. He says he is delighted that she will be the second BAME person to take up that role. She will succeed Rose Hudson-Wilkin, who has been appointed bishop of Dover.He announces that Tricia Hillas, the canon pastor at St Paul’s Cathedral, has been appointed as the next Speaker’s chaplain. He says he is delighted that she will be the second BAME person to take up that role. She will succeed Rose Hudson-Wilkin, who has been appointed bishop of Dover.
Richard Benyon, a Conservative, says Boris Johnson once said there was more chance of his being decapitated by a frisbee than becoming PM. He urges Johnson to continue the UK’s strong record on ocean conservation.Richard Benyon, a Conservative, says Boris Johnson once said there was more chance of his being decapitated by a frisbee than becoming PM. He urges Johnson to continue the UK’s strong record on ocean conservation.
Johnson praises Benyon’s own record on this topic.Johnson praises Benyon’s own record on this topic.
John Bercow admits he is “stretching time” but he is going to take two more MPs.John Bercow admits he is “stretching time” but he is going to take two more MPs.
He calls Labour’s Ronnie Campbell, who starts by saying Bercow is the best Speaker he has seen in his time in parliament. Campbell asks about the Waspi women (women who have lost out by increases in the state pension age for women, which were not well advertised in advance).He calls Labour’s Ronnie Campbell, who starts by saying Bercow is the best Speaker he has seen in his time in parliament. Campbell asks about the Waspi women (women who have lost out by increases in the state pension age for women, which were not well advertised in advance).
Johnson says he is looking at what more can be done. But it is a very difficult issue, he says.Johnson says he is looking at what more can be done. But it is a very difficult issue, he says.
From the BBC’s Laura KuenssbergFrom the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg
Goodness me.... this PMQs which is Bercow’s last, has gone on for more than an hour - it’s a like a leaving do where no one feels they can go first in case they get into trouble from the bossGoodness me.... this PMQs which is Bercow’s last, has gone on for more than an hour - it’s a like a leaving do where no one feels they can go first in case they get into trouble from the boss
We’ve got six more weeks of this. Sometimes PMQs is used as an opportunity for a forensic analysis of a particular issue, but today, more than ever, it was dominated by Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn rehearsing their election sloganising. And neither leader seems to have an overwhelming advantage.We’ve got six more weeks of this. Sometimes PMQs is used as an opportunity for a forensic analysis of a particular issue, but today, more than ever, it was dominated by Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn rehearsing their election sloganising. And neither leader seems to have an overwhelming advantage.
Corbyn focused on the NHS in all his questions. Traditionally this has been Labour’s strongest electoral territory and Corbyn had Johnson on the defensive throughout. His arguments about NHS underfunding and increasing waiting lists were more persuasive than Johnson’s “all is fine” bravado, and Johnson was confounded when Corbyn started talking about an individual case, because Corbyn sounded more emphatic than the PM.Corbyn focused on the NHS in all his questions. Traditionally this has been Labour’s strongest electoral territory and Corbyn had Johnson on the defensive throughout. His arguments about NHS underfunding and increasing waiting lists were more persuasive than Johnson’s “all is fine” bravado, and Johnson was confounded when Corbyn started talking about an individual case, because Corbyn sounded more emphatic than the PM.
Corbyn also made it clear that he is going to spend much of the time claiming that a Johnson Brexit would open the door to the further marketisation and privatisation of the NHS. Whether this is wholly true is contestable, but it is a fear that registers with people, and may work well on the doorstep.Corbyn also made it clear that he is going to spend much of the time claiming that a Johnson Brexit would open the door to the further marketisation and privatisation of the NHS. Whether this is wholly true is contestable, but it is a fear that registers with people, and may work well on the doorstep.
Johnson was weak on the actual details of how the NHS works. But his attack lines against Corbyn – accusing him of sweeping anti-Americanism, and wholesale hostility to the involvement of private firms in the NHS (even though many NHS services are privately provided anyway – were much more powerful than anything Theresa May threw at Corbyn, and delivered with relish.Johnson was weak on the actual details of how the NHS works. But his attack lines against Corbyn – accusing him of sweeping anti-Americanism, and wholesale hostility to the involvement of private firms in the NHS (even though many NHS services are privately provided anyway – were much more powerful than anything Theresa May threw at Corbyn, and delivered with relish.
At the end of the exchanges Corbyn and Johnson both segued into wider themes. Corbyn’s line about the election providing a once in a lifetime opportunity for change resonated. But it wasn’t as catchy as Johnson’s argument about Labour offering two referendums, which was just about true enough to register and stick as a key election message. (Labour are certainly promising a second Brexit referendum, which would fill some of the electorate with dread. Corbyn does not favour a second Scottish independence referendum, but he has not 100% ruled one out, and a minority Labour government dependent on SNP support would probably end up agreeing to one.)At the end of the exchanges Corbyn and Johnson both segued into wider themes. Corbyn’s line about the election providing a once in a lifetime opportunity for change resonated. But it wasn’t as catchy as Johnson’s argument about Labour offering two referendums, which was just about true enough to register and stick as a key election message. (Labour are certainly promising a second Brexit referendum, which would fill some of the electorate with dread. Corbyn does not favour a second Scottish independence referendum, but he has not 100% ruled one out, and a minority Labour government dependent on SNP support would probably end up agreeing to one.)
Johnson’s most lively attack lines were probably those he delivered against the SNP. It is widely assumed that the Tories will lose most of their seats in Scotland, and Ian Blackford had a good line when he said Johnson would be welcome in the country because he boosted SNP support. But, even if this is true, Johnson seemed to enjoy the chance to bang on about “borders at Berwick”. (See 12.35pm.)Johnson’s most lively attack lines were probably those he delivered against the SNP. It is widely assumed that the Tories will lose most of their seats in Scotland, and Ian Blackford had a good line when he said Johnson would be welcome in the country because he boosted SNP support. But, even if this is true, Johnson seemed to enjoy the chance to bang on about “borders at Berwick”. (See 12.35pm.)
Labour’s Karen Buck asks how Johnson can justify spending £2bn on no-deal Brexit planning.Labour’s Karen Buck asks how Johnson can justify spending £2bn on no-deal Brexit planning.
Johnson claims that under Labour’s Brexit plan the UK would have to spend an extra £1bn a month to stay in the EU.Johnson claims that under Labour’s Brexit plan the UK would have to spend an extra £1bn a month to stay in the EU.
(This is misleading. Because of the transition, even if the UK were leaving the EU at the end of the month, it would still be contributing to the EU as it is now.)(This is misleading. Because of the transition, even if the UK were leaving the EU at the end of the month, it would still be contributing to the EU as it is now.)
Steve Baker, a Conservative, says thousands of his constituents in Wycombe have relatives living near the line of control in Kashmir.
Johnson says this is a serious issue. But it is a matter for India and Pakistan, he says. He says it is not for the UK to decide what the solution must be.
The SNP’s Ronnie Cowan says fireworks can cause great disturbance to people and livestock. The Scottish government carried out a consultation that showed people favour greater controls. Does Johnson agree?
Johnson says the law should strike a balance. He says animal welfare is important. And Brexit will allow the government to introduce more animal welfare measures.
Labour’s Jess Phillips says it is a delight to see Bercow’s children in the gallery. She knows Bercow takes his responsibilities as a parent seriously.
“And now to the prime minister,” she goes on, in a clear jibe at Johnson’s own record as a parent. She asks for an assurance that schools will be properly funded, so that they do not have to close early (a problem in Phillips’ constituency).
Johnson says his government will fund schools properly. Phillips’ son will have a great future under them, he says.
Nigel Evans, the Tory MP, says that as a former deputy Speaker he wants to pay tribute to what John Bercow did for LGBT rights.
He says a survey last week showed that the Ribble Valley (Evans’ constituency) is the happiest place in Britain. A Tory election victory will make them happier. And will Johnson deliver the Brexit people want.
Johnson says he will, and he promises more police officers too.
Ian Blackford, the SNP leader at Westminster, also offers his best wishes to John Bercow. He says he hopes Bercow enjoys his retirement. Bercow will always be welcome in Scotland, he says.
And Blackford wishes England all the best for the rugby on Saturday.
He says the PM’s Brexit will take a wrecking ball to the economy and cost it up to £70bn. The PM is willing to throw Scotland under his big red bus to deliver Brexit, he says.
Johnson says the greatest damage that can be done to the Scottish economy would come from the SNP’s plan for independence. That would break up the most successful political partnership in history. The SNP have a crackpot plan for borders at Berwick, he says. And the SNP would hand back control of Scottish fisheries to Brussels, just at the point where control is coming back to the UK.
Blackford says it is PMQs, not the time for a “rant” from the PM. He says Johnson will be welcome in Scotland; every time he comes up, he drives up support for the SNP. The SNP is the only party standing up for Scotland’s interests. Only a vote for the SNP will secure an escape route from Brexit, he says. And it will secure Scotland’s right to protect its future.
Johnson says Blackford rants himself. And he says the SNP wants to conceal its record. It is not running health or education well. And if good things are happening in Scotland, it is thanks to Scottish Conservatives. He says they can be relied upon to keep the union together.
Corbyn says he is surprised Johnson can keep a straight face when his government has cut so much from the Welsh budget. He says anyone who has tried to get a GP appointment will know the problems. He quotes from a letter from Gillian, who says her mother died as a direct result of the GP shortage. The care her mother got always came after long delays. He says people who have to wait should be sympathised with and supported.
Johnson says there are 17,300 more doctors and 17,000 more nurses since 2010. It is time to differentiate between the politics of protest and the politics of leadership. It is all very well to side with Russia and make huge promises and flip-flop on the referendum. Leadership means standing up for the police, for the economy, for wealth creators. And above all, it means getting Brexit done.
Corbyn says, coming from a PM who withdrew his own bill, that sounds a bit odd. He says Johnson should have tried to show some empathy. GPs are in short supply. The NHS has suffered its longest spending squeeze ever.
He says this election is a once-in-a-generation chance to end underfunding in the NHS. The NHS is up for grabs in a Trump-style trade deal, he says. It is up for grab by US corporations. Isn’t the truth that his government is planning to sell out the NHS?
Johnson says he agrees there is a stark choice. It is between economic catastrophe under Labour, which would spend £196bn on nationalisations. And there would be a political catastrophe under Labour too. There would be two referendums, on Brexit and on Scotland. The UK would suffer “toxic torpor”. He says his government will invest in schools and education and infrastructure. That is what he is going to deliver. And he will deliver a fantastic future. That is the choice: “drift and dither” under Labour, or a brighter future under the Tories.
Corbyn says of course the NHS needs to import medicines. He just wants it to be done openly. He does not approve of secret talks.
Patients are waiting longer for cancer treatment, he says. Why can’t Johnson put the necessary resources into the NHS. Corbyn asks why NHS privatisation has doubled under this government. Nearly £10bn is spent on the NHS under this government.
Johnson says, if Corbyn is saying that he does not want dentists and Macmillan nurses to work with the NHS, he is “out of his mind”. Corbyn should pay tribute to the hard work of NHS staff. He should not talk down their achievements. He says a strong economy supports the NHS. Corbyn would wreck that.
Corbyn says we should not have private companies like Virgin Health suing the NHS. NHS money should not go into making people richer. Why has the number of people waiting for an operation reached a record high?
Johnson says the NHS is working harder and achieving more. He says the SNP government negotiated a much higher price for the cystic fibrosis drug than did NHS England. If people want to know what a Labour NHS would look like, look at Wales. Targets there are routinely missed, he says.
Corbyn says he welcomes the cystic fibrosis drug decision. But we have not been told what the deal actually was.
He says, although Johnson talks of 40 new hospitals, the real figure is just six.
He says the US wants full market access to the NHS. While the government is having secret meeting with US corporations, patients here are suffering. Why has the number of patients waiting longer for urgent NHS treatment tripled over the last nine years?
Johnson says waiting lists are improving. He says Corbyn should not be claiming credit for the cystic fibrosis drug decision. The drug company involved is American. Is Corbyn really saying the NHS should not be talking to companies like that?
Jeremy Corbyn pays his own tribute to John Bercow. He says Bercow has stood up for parliament. He says Labour hopes to form a government and expects to be held to account.
Bercow has also done his bit to open up parliament, Corbyn says. He has changed some of the strange customs, and has promoted diversity. And he has tried to change the Commons from being a gentlemen’s club and turn it into a democratic institution.
Corbyn says the PM’s sellout deal with Donald Trump will mean more NHS money going into private profit. He says the Channel 4 Dispatches investigation showed the health service has been repeatedly discussed with US officials. Why does Johnson say the NHS is not on the table?
Because it is not on the table, says Johnson.
He pays tribute to the way the NHS has recently made a cystic fibrosis drug available.
The NHS is getting more money because the economy has been growing under the Tories, he says.
Johnson confirms that the scheme for giving grants to thalidomide victims, which is due to end soon, will be reviewed with a view to it continuing.