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Last edited 05 Aug 2025
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Grenfell tower site updates summary list

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[edit] Background

The Grenfell Tower fire occurred on 14 June 2017 in North Kensington, West London, claiming the lives of 72 people and devastating a close-knit community. The blaze, which started in a fourth-floor flat, quickly engulfed the 24-storey residential tower due to the building’s highly flammable cladding system. The tragedy exposed serious failures in building safety regulations, emergency planning, and the treatment of social housing residents, sparking widespread public outcry and a government-led public inquiry. Grenfell has since become a symbol of institutional neglect and the urgent need for housing reform and accountability.

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In the years since the fire, the UK government has published regular updates for the local community, updates aiming to provide transparency around the management of the tower site, including plans for demolition, safety measures, and the creation of a lasting memorial. With deep emotional and cultural significance attached to the tower and its surroundings, ongoing communication aims to help build trust, acknowledge the trauma experienced by the survivors, the bereaved, and the local community to ensure their voices of those of the most affected remain central to all decisions.

Below is a reference list of these updates in date order, with links and a few specific of key updates directly below.

[edit] Summary of key updates

[edit] July 2025 The approach to carefully taking down the Tower

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) outlined detailed plans for the careful dismantling of Grenfell Tower, emphasising a respectful and trauma-aware approach. The demolition to begin from the top of the building, with each floor expected to take about a month to remove. Work being carried out behind the tower’s white outer covering, with additional scaffolding and protective wrapping in place to preserve the dignity of the site. A crane is to lift materials into unmarked lorries, and all items taken off-site will be carefully covered. Some elements, including the architectural crown, are to be preserved for potential inclusion in a future memorial, and the government is consulting families on a separate site where materials could be respectfully laid to rest.

Deconstruct UK, the contractor responsible for the site since 2017, will continue overseeing the process and remain in contact with the local community through regular meetings. The government has stressed that the site holds deep significance for the bereaved and survivors, and all work will prioritise safety, respect, and minimal disruption. Despite the government’s commitment to a sensitive approach, Grenfell United, representing some families and survivors, has voiced opposition to the demolition plan. However, independent experts have warned that the building's structure continues to deteriorate and is currently only stable due to temporary supports.

[edit] December 2024 The future of Grenfell Tower: advice that will inform a decision

Independent, expert advice that will inform a decision on Grenfell Tower, including from structural engineers, about mental and physical health, and on justice.

[edit] August 2024 Appointment of the principal contractor for the Grenfell Tower site

After standard procurement processes Deconstruct UK (DUK) re-appointed as principal contractor in May 2024.

[edit] November 2023 An update about the principal contractor for the Grenfell Tower site

Update about the principal contractor for the Grenfell Tower site, as existing contract expires July 2024. Re-procurement required due to government rules and guidance on spending public money to keep the tower and site safe and secure.

[edit] July 2023 Letter to the Mayor of London on the sixth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire

The letter sets out how the government is driving up standards on building safety and is continuing to listen to the bereaved, survivors and local residents, make progress on the issues that are important to them and work with them to build a lasting legacy to the tragedy.

[edit] August 2022 Letter from the Secretary of State for Rough Sleeping and Housing

A letter to local residents following conversations held in May 2022.

[edit] May 2021 Appointment of new contractor for the Grenfell Tower site

An update from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government regarding the existing contract for the principal contractor of the Grenfell Tower site which expires in July and appointment of a new contractor to take over and continue essential safety and maintenance works: Deconstruct UK Ltd (DUK).

[edit] February 2020 Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission begins work

Thelma Stober and Michael Lockwood chosen as co-chairs of the independent Memorial Commission.

[edit] July 2019 Future management of the Grenfell site

The Communities Secretary and the Independent Site Management Lead, Doug Patterson, exchange letters on the future management of the Grenfell site.

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[edit] 2025

Privacy Notice: Grenfell Tower Site. This privacy notice explains the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government’s process for collecting, using, and storing information about you when you enquire about the Grenfell Tower Site. Updated: 13 June 2025.

July Grenfell Tower site update July 2025. An update on the start of work to carefully take down the Tower. 29 June 2025

June Grenfell Tower site update June 2025. Summary of activity at the Grenfell Tower site. Update 10 June 2025

Grenfell Tower. Information relating to the fire at Grenfell Tower. Update 29 May 2025

[edit] 2024

The future of Grenfell Tower: advice that will inform a decision. Independent, expert advice from structural engineers, about mental and physical health, and on justice. Update 19 December 2024

Appointment of the principal contractor for the Grenfell Tower site. Update for Grenfell community. Update 1 August 2024

Deconstruct UK (DUK) was reappointed as the principal contractor for the Grenfell Tower site following a standard re-procurement process, ensuring continued site security and community engagement in line with government spending rules.

[edit] 2023

The principal contractor for the Grenfell Tower site: update. Update for Grenfell community. Update 24 November 2023

Letter to Grenfell residents from the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Letter to local residents following conversations in May 2023. Published during Sunak Conservative government. Update 10 July 2023

Letter to the Mayor of London on the sixth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire. Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities letter to Mayor of London about the sixth anniversary. First published during the 2022 to 2024 Sunak Conservative government. Update 6 July 2023

Temporary installation of CCTV cameras around the Grenfell Tower site. Information about a monitoring study for the independent Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission. Update 2 May 2023

[edit] 2022

A letter to Grenfell residents from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Rough Sleeping and Housing. Following conversations held in May 2022. First published during Johnson Conservative government. Update 5 August 2022

The future of Grenfell Tower: a letter from the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (7 March 2022). To local residents with details of how they can join a conversation about Grenfell Tower. Update 17 March 2022

[edit] 2021

The future of Grenfell Tower: a letter from the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. To the Grenfell community about next steps on the future of Grenfell Tower. Update 20 December 2021

Grenfell environmental checks stage 2 findings: summary and Q&A from 8 July online meeting. Update for Grenfell community on the second part of the 2-stage environmental checks. Update 5 August 2021

The future of Grenfell Tower: a letter and leaflet from MHCLG. Update 15 July 2021

Independent expert advice on Grenfell Tower published. Published by Government to inform a decision on the future of Grenfell Tower. First published during the Johnson Conservative government. Update 27 May 2021

Appointment of new contractor for the Grenfell Tower site. Update from the MHCLG. Update 24 May 2021

The future of Grenfell Tower: a letter and community update from MHCLG. Update 12 May 2021

Summary from 1 April 2021 online meeting. Update for the Grenfell community. Update 29 April 2021

Relocation of the electricity substation in Grenfell Tower, (ground floor) Update for the community. Update 20 April 2021

Summary and Q&A from 2 March 2021 online meeting. Update for Grenfell community. Update 30 March 2021

Summary and Q&A from 2 February 2021 online event. Update for Grenfell community. Update 5 March 2021

Update for Grenfell community about Grenfell Tower and the future memorial. Update 22 January 2021

Summary and Q&A from 8 Dec 2020 online event. Update for Grenfell community. Update 19 January 2021

[edit] 2020

The principal contractor for the Grenfell Tower site: an update. Update for Grenfell community. Update 8 December 2020

Asbestos removal in and around Grenfell Tower: write-up and Q&A from 21 September 2020 online event. An update for the Grenfell community. Update 10 November 2020

Grenfell environmental checks: Stage 2 detailed design. This sets out AECOM’s approach to Stage 2 of the two-stage investigation into potential land contamination around the Grenfell Tower site. Update 20 October 2020

Tower safety works: write-up and Q&A. 27 July 2020 online event. Update for Grenfell community. Update 17 Sept 2020

Health Risk Assessment of asbestos air quality monitoring results: Grenfell Tower: Public Health England’s evaluation of asbestos air sampling carried out on site between November 2018 and June 2019. Update 17 September 2020

Grenfell Community Update about the next phase of discussions about Grenfell Tower and the future memorial. Update for the Grenfell Community. Updated 1 August 2020

Letter to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea: 16 July 2020 from the Secretary of State for Communities, the Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP. First published during the Johnson Conservative government. Update 14 August 2020

Letter and update on upcoming safety works in response to the Grenfell Tower fire: 3 July 2020. Director of Grenfell Site & Programme writes to residents about upcoming safety works. Update 3 August 2020

Update letter to residents on developments in response to the Grenfell Tower fire: 12 June 2020. Secretary of State for Communities, the Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP writes to residents. First published in Johnson Conservative government. Update 12 June 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19): an update on the Grenfell Tower site, for the Grenfell Community. Update 21 May 2020

Fifth report from Independent Grenfell Recovery Taskforce, submitted fifth report 9 March 2020. Update 26 March 2020

Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission begins work. Thelma Stober and Michael Lockwood chosen as co-chairs of the independent Memorial Commission. First published during Johnson Conservative government. Update 13 February 2020

[edit] 2019

Environmental checks around Grenfell Tower show no increased risk to health. The levels of chemicals found in the Grenfell area are consistent with those generally found in London. First published during the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government. Updated 10 October 2019

Environmental checks around Grenfell Tower. Update on Stage 1 of the environmental checks around the Grenfell Tower site including the initial findings. Update 20 July 2019

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