Deputy PM: Grenfell Tower will be demolished

The UK government has officially confirmed plans to demolish Grenfell Tower, the site of the tragic 2017 fire that claimed 72 lives. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner announced that the dismantling process will commence after the eighth anniversary of the disaster in June 2025 and is expected to take approximately two years. The government emphasized that the deconstruction will be conducted “sensitively,” with a focus on “careful and sensitive progressive deconstruction that happens behind the wrapping.”

Engineering assessments have indicated that while Grenfell Tower remains stable due to existing supports, the structure is “significantly damaged” and its condition is expected to deteriorate over time. Experts have advised that retaining the building is not practical or safe in the long term.

Reactions

The decision has elicited mixed reactions from the community. Grenfell United, representing some bereaved families and survivors, accused Ms. Rayner of “ignoring” their voices, labeling the decision as “disgraceful and unforgivable.” They expressed concerns that demolishing the tower would erase the memory of the tragedy.

Conversely, Grenfell Next of Kin, another group representing affected families, acknowledged the sensitivity of the decision but recognized the necessity due to safety concerns. They emphasized the importance of moving forward and focusing on discussions about a fitting memorial to honor the victims.

The government has pledged to engage with the community throughout the demolition process and in planning a future memorial. Materials from the tower and its surrounding areas will be carefully preserved and may be incorporated into the memorial if the community wishes. A specialist contractor will be appointed to develop a detailed plan for the deconstruction, ensuring that the process honors the memory of those who lost their lives.

The Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission, established in 2018, has been consulting on plans for a permanent memorial at the site. A shortlist of five potential design teams was announced last month, with a winner expected to be selected this summer to enable a planning application to be submitted in late 2026.

As the government moves forward with the demolition, it remains committed to ensuring that the voices of the bereaved, survivors, and the immediate community are central to the process, aiming to create a lasting tribute that appropriately honors the memory of the 72 individuals who lost their lives in the Grenfell Tower tragedy.