bluethrunthru
Well-Known Member
RE: The political chat about cuts surrounding the London fire incident (that is being kept out of that thread) - the Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue chief was saying at the time of the enormous cuts they were looking at (a few years ago) that he was going to make the point to them that it was putting the public at risk. Pretty sure he said they wouldn't be able to cover what they needed across Greater Manchester.
So I think this London fire is a legitimate thing to discuss in the context of public services cuts. We've seen now the enormous pressures and failings in police, health and fire now. Utterly shameful from this Tory Govt. imo.
I have seen elsewhere that in the past 5 years fire deaths in Greater London are down 20% - not sure how accurate this is though.
I did hear on LBC that following the Lakanal House fire in 2009 and the scathing comments of the coroner some review was done and a report issued to Government with recommendations such as retro fitting all tower blocks with sprinkler systems and central fire alarm systems. Its alleged that the cost was seen as prohibitive under austerity measures as Local Govt would ask for shedloads of cash to cover it at a time when the govt was cutting their money so the minister responsible for Housing and Planning sat on it. Who was he? Step forward Gavin Barwell - the guy Theresa May has judged to be astute enough to be her new senior adviser. If true then we have austerity - deaths and Mays judgement called into question - again.