After a hard hitting report following phase one of the Grenfell inquiry, attention and focus will soon switch to the second phase of the inquiry which starts in late January.

Survivors and campaigners welcomed the depth of Sir Martin’s 46 recommendations from the first phase, which are aimed at safeguarding the residents of high-rise tower blocks.

Sir Martin outlined the remit of the inquiry’s second phase, as:

• whether the regulations relating to high-rise buildings in England and Wales should be changed to apply to buildings lower than 18 metres;
• whether the use of combustible materials on the outside of high-rises should be banned;
• the testing and certification of materials; and
• the installation of water sprinklers.

By Patrick Mooney, Editor