The catastrophic fire in Grenfell Tower must have political repercussions profoundly affecting the homes of the poorest tenants. The Queen’s speech is immediately available. Improvements in the UK housing market and building regulations should be a memorial to the many who suffered and died there. A further scandal has been the rows of homes built as investments standing empty in London while Kensington and Chelsea councillors seek to house victims outside their borough. During the second world war, a law was passed that enabled the temporary requisition of houses. I believe that is is still on the statute books, and if it is it could be used to rehouse the Grenfell victims. We also need a new law that requires the sale, or compulsory purchase, of any home that has remained empty for six months or more, as happens in Denmark. It should also become impossible for national and international speculators to buy British land solely for private profit. The churches should assert with all the moral force we can muster that land is the free gift of a generous and loving God to provide shelter, food, fuel and clothes for everyone.
Rev Paul Nicolson
Taxpayers Against Poverty
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