Hull MPs seek answers on tower block safety

Hull's three MPs have been in contact with Hull City Council regarding safety in the 26 tower blocks in Hull following the tragic Grenfell Tower fire in London.

The Metropolitan Police today confirmed that the fire in Kensington has so far seen the confirmed loss of 30 lives.

Speaking jointly, Hull North MP Diana Johnson, Hull West and Hessle MP Emma Hardy and Hull East MP Karl Turner said:

"Following this week's tragic events in London, we have been in contact with senior management at Hull City Council concerning the 26 tower blocks that we have in Hull.

"We are pleased to hear reassurances that the 17 tower blocks that have cladding on them in Hull do not contain the inflammable material used in Grenfell Tower; that smoke alarms are regularly checked and will be upgraded to hard-wired models; and that communal lighting is also being improved.

"In Hull, we will continue to press the local authority on the issue of what advice is offered to residents in the event of emergencies in these blocks, on the provision of safe exit routes and whether sprinkler systems should be installed.

"In the longer term, we will also work with the Council and other social landlords on reviewing our housing regeneration strategy in relation to the long-term future of high-rise blocks for social housing, especially for vulnerable people.

"In Parliament, we will ask questions about why fire safety recommendations for tower blocks that followed previous fire incidents in the past decade have not been implemented.

"We will ask about the on-going impact of many years of cuts to local authorities and whether the cuts to our fire and emergency services have already gone too far. We will also demand extra support for councils like Hull to implement whatever recommendations follow the Public Inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire."