it is not appropriate to link this event to government cuts until there is evidence to the

contrary. I know it doesn't fit the "evil tories" or evil government narrative but there is no evidence here that this incident was down to budget cuts. indeed as I have said below its quite possible that one of the main causes was recent improvements implemented by the Council which cost a lot of money and that someone has been negligent. Many experts have said that under existing building regs/practice fires in tower blocks would be isolated and compartmentalised so they would not spread and for whatever reason something has clearly gone badly wrong here.

My understanding is that Kensington and Chelsea is one of if not the wealthiest Councils in the country. I have no idea as to whether there is a justified argument that they neglect certain less glamorous parts of their borough (I know that they have previously been criticised for keeping cash reserves whilst cutting some services) but there is plenty of evidence to suggest that quite a lot of work has recently been done to this building which would not suggest resource was the issue here.

One thing I will agree though is that the incident again shows what a great and valuable job our emergency services do and hopefully one residue of the election will be an end to cuts and austerity in relation to those services.

Posted By: Jim, Jun 14, 18:32:30