Update on the future of Grenfell Tower

[edit] Decision to dismantle

On 7 February 2025, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner gave an update on the future of Grenfell Tower after meeting bereaved families and survivors of the Grenfell Tower tragedy and has written to both them and residents in the immediate community to share her decision that Grenfell Tower will be carefully taken down to the ground.

At the time, the government said, 'This is a deeply personal matter for the people affected, and the Deputy Prime Minister is committed to keeping their voice at the heart of this process. She recognises how difficult it is for them, and her priority has been to let them know her decision first.' ' Listening to the community: The Deputy Prime Minister has prioritised engagement with the community since her appointment in July and has met bereaved families, survivors, and residents in the immediate community.'

After the announcement, it was reported that bereaved relatives and survivors of the fire were angered by the decision 'Dismantling Grenfell Tower unforgivable, say families' (BBC, 6 February 2025), 'Rayner's decision to demolish Grenfell Tower branded ‘disgraceful’ by bereaved families' (Independent, 6 February 2025),

[edit] Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission

In January 2025, the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission announced in its phase 1 update that five shortlisted design teams had been selected for the memorial competition, including, in alphabetical order, Curl La Tourelle + Head Architecture, Freehaus, George King Architects x Grow to Know, New South, and Office Sian.

"Appointing a design team is a vital step in turning the Grenfell community’s vision for a future memorial into a physical reality. We are also all too aware of the importance of, in collaboration with the Grenfell community, appointing the right team, who will work professionally, sensitively, and thoughtfully with the Grenfell community." It said, with ‘listening sessions’ planned during February for bereaved families, survivors, and the rest of the Grenfell community to meet with the shortlisted teams.

The Tower was the home of the 72 innocent people who lost their lives and of survivors whose lives were forever changed. It is clear from conversations it remains a sacred site. It is also clear that there is not a consensus about what should happen to it.

For some, Grenfell Tower is a symbol of all that they lost. The presence of the Tower helps to ensure the tragedy is never forgotten and can act as a reminder of the need for justice and accountability. Being able to see the Tower every day helps some people continue to feel close to those they lost. For others, it is a painful reminder of what happened and is having a daily impact on some members of the community. Some have suggested that some floors of the Tower should be retained for the memorial; others have said that this would be too painful.

See also the article Decisions, Principles, Promises, and Recommendations for the Future of the Grenfell Tower Site.

[edit] Expert advice

In November 2024, the Deputy Prime Minister explained to families that she would listen to their views and consider expert information before making a decision on the future of the Tower in February. From November, she offered bereaved and survivors the opportunity to meet in person in North Kensington and Whitehall, or online, at different times and individually when families felt more comfortable with this. She has also spent time with representative groups, residents’ associations, schools, and faith leaders. She is grateful to everyone who shared their view—whether directly with her, with the minister, or with officials—and especially to the bereaved and survivors.

The Deputy Prime Minister considered independent expert advice. Engineering advice says that the tower is significantly damaged. It remains stable because of the measures put in place to protect it, but even with the installation of additional props, the condition of the building will continue to worsen over time. Engineers also advise it is not practicable to retain many of the floors of the building in place as part of a memorial 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.

Over the weekend the Deputy Prime Minister defended her decision and the way she handled the decision and communication 'Rayner 'upset' by accusations of aggression at Grenfell meeting' (BBC, 9 Feb 2025), 'Angela Rayner defends handling of meeting with Grenfell survivors and families' (Guardian, 9 Feb 2025)

[edit] How the Tower will be taken down

The government has said it is committed to taking the next steps respectfully and carefully and that there would be continued support for, and engagement with, the community throughout the process. There will be no changes to the Tower before the eighth anniversary.

In the coming months, the government said it will confirm the specialist contractor that will develop a detailed plan for taking the Tower down. The work will be led by technical experts with specific health and safety responsibilities and will include a methodology that includes environmental, health and safety measures and a detailed programme of work. It will likely take around two years to take down the Tower through a process of careful and sensitive progressive deconstruction behind the wrapping.

[edit] Continued commitment for the community

"We continue to support the independent Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission as the community choose a design team to work with them on designing a memorial. The Deputy Prime Minister will ensure that materials from the site, communal areas of the Tower, or parts of the Tower can be carefully removed and returned for inclusion as part of the memorial, if the community wishes."

"The department has regularly consulted the Metropolitan Police, HM Coroner and the Grenfell Tower Inquiry to ensure decisions about the site do not interfere with their important work in pursuit of justice and accountability. The Police and HM Coroner have again recently confirmed they have everything they need."

"The Deputy Prime Minister’s commitment to the community continues. She will ensure bereaved families, survivors and residents continue to have opportunities to speak with her and the Building Safety Minister on issues that matter to them most."

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• Addressing building failures: Grenfell Tower and Edinburgh schools.
• Building a safer future: an implementation plan.
• Building a safer future: proposals for reform of the building safety regulatory system.
• Building Safety Act.
• Building safety agreement with developers.
• Building Safety Charter.
• Building Safety Fund.
• Building safety in Wales.
• Building Safety Regulator.
• Celotex insulation.
• Chief inspector of buildings.
• Decisions, principles, promises and recommendations for the future of the Grenfell Tower site.
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• Grenfell and professional indemnity insurance.
• Grenfell fire door investigation.
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• Grenfell Tower independent expert advisory panel.
• Grenfell Tower industry response group.
• Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 Report.
• Grenfell Phase 2 final report for construction at a glance.
• The Grenfell phase 2 final report recommendations for the construction industry.
• Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
• Grenfell Tower site update September 2024.
• Hackitt review of the building regulations and fire safety, final report.
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• Joint Competent Authority.
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