**Grenfell Survivor Calls for Accelerated Action on Public Contract Bans for Firms Linked to Tragedy**
Calls for an immediate ban on companies associated with the Grenfell Tower fire from securing public contracts have intensified, as survivors prepare to mark eight years since the disaster. The annual commemoration in west London this Saturday will bring together bereaved families and survivors, who continue to seek accountability for the fire that claimed 72 lives in 2017.
This year’s memorial is particularly significant as it could be the last to take place with the tower still standing. Plans for demolition are expected to commence as early as September, marking an emotional milestone for the affected community. Edward Daffarn, a former resident who voiced fire safety concerns months before the blaze, has reflected on the growing sense of urgency for justice.
Mr Daffarn expressed hope that a forthcoming Netflix documentary on the Grenfell tragedy would intensify public and governmental pressure to hold companies connected to the disaster accountable. He told the Press Association that the documentary should act as a catalyst, ensuring the Government prohibits implicated firms from bidding for public sector work. “This film must highlight the need for companies linked to Grenfell to lose access to public funds. I hope its release tips the scales and speeds up action,” Mr Daffarn said.
In February, the Cabinet Office named seven organisations, including cladding manufacturer Arconic, insulation producer Kingspan, former Celotex owners Saint-Gobain, fire safety assessor Exova, primary contractor Rydon, architectural firm Studio E, and subcontractor Harley Facades, as being under scrutiny. Each company is being investigated to determine whether professional misconduct occurred under the Procurement Act 2023, which could lead to their formal exclusion from state contracts. However, the timeline for any decisions remains unclear, leaving survivors frustrated by the slow pace of justice.
Findings from the final Grenfell Tower Inquiry, published last September, painted a damning picture. Inquiry chair Sir Martin Moore-Bick sharply criticised the conduct of companies involved, citing widespread dishonesty and reckless manipulation of fire safety standards. The report accused manufacturers of “systematic dishonesty” in the design and sale of cladding and insulation, claiming lives were lost due to profit-driven decision-making and fraudulent safety claims.
Mr Daffarn remarked that the Netflix documentary would confront viewers with the “corporate cowardice” that prioritised profit over safety. He voiced hope that public awareness might prompt consumers to boycott products from companies criticised in both the report and documentary, driving home the message that commercial malpractice brings real-world consequences. “There is still an absence of meaningful accountability for those involved,” he said. “This documentary makes the ongoing neglect and lack of justice painfully clear.”
Survivors and relatives of the deceased have campaigned tirelessly for criminal prosecution. However, police and prosecutors have indicated that investigations may last until late 2025, with any decisions on charges not due before the end of 2026. For many families, this lengthening wait for justice is both “unbearable” and distressing.
Opinions remain divided over the imminent demolition of Grenfell Tower. Some community members say its removal will ease emotional suffering, while others, including Mr Daffarn, feel the act is premature, given that so many aspects remain unresolved. “It seems wrong to dismantle the only physical reminder of Grenfell before justice is done. There’s so much yet unfinished,” he observed.
The Government, in statements this week, pledged enduring support and remembrance for all those affected by the tragedy. A spokesperson reiterated official resolve to ensure Grenfell’s lessons are learned and that similar disasters are never repeated. The demolition process is expected to take two years, and the government has acknowledged differing community views over the building’s future.
As the eighth anniversary approaches, the Grenfell community’s demands centre on accountability, transparency and meaningful reform. The survivors and bereaved seek not only justice for the past, but stringent measures to safeguard public safety in the future, so that no such tragedy occurs again.