Government urged to stop Grenfell-related firms receiving public contracts
The Grenfell Tower fire on 14 June 2017 resulted in 72 deaths and was linked to combustible insulation and cladding that did not comply with regulations.
An analysis following the September 2024 Grenfell phase 2 inquiry report identified at least 87 public-sector contracts involving companies criticised in the inquiry; some of these contracts may have expired.
Labour MP Joe Powell has called for a full audit of remaining contracts with these firms and urged for the Procurement Act 2023 guidance to exclude suppliers with histories of misconduct.
Among the companies cited in the public contracts database with multimillion-pound deals are Saint-Gobain and Rydon Maintenance.
Rydon, the main refurbishment contractor, was found by the inquiry to have provided inadequate fire safety standards and heavily relied on subcontractors; it holds 14 contracts with NHS bodies totaling over £5.5 billion, though end dates for these contracts are unspecified. Rydon declined to comment.
Celotex, then owned by Saint-Gobain, supplied approximately 95% of the insulation used. It marketed the insulation as safe for high-rise use despite awareness that it was combustible, with a former employee describing unethical behaviour.
Saint-Gobain currently holds a £17.6 million Scottish Water contract running until 2029. Celotex has not been trading since 2015, and Saint-Gobain has stated it is not linked to Grenfell.
The Procurement Act 2023 enables exclusion of suppliers for poor past performance, but the government maintains there is no legal basis to issue supplier guidance. Joe Powell urges a more proactive use of these powers. Investigations are currently paused to avoid prejudicing criminal proceedings.
Grenfell United advocates for a moral stance and higher scrutiny to ensure public funds do not support firms cited in the inquiry, stressing the need to prevent a tragedy like Grenfell from happening again.
