Theresa May rejects Jeremy Corbyn call for homes to be seized for Grenfell victims
2 min read
Theresa May has rejected Jeremy Corbyn's calls for "luxury" properties to be seized to help those left homeless by the Grenfell Tower fire.
The Labour leader made the call in the aftermath of last week's devastating blaze, which has so far claimed the lives of 79 people.
Speaking in Parliament, Mr Corbyn said: "The ward where this fire took place is, I think, the poorest ward in the whole country and properties must be found - requisitioned if necessary - to make sure those residents do get re-housed locally.
"It can't be acceptable that in London we have luxury buildings and luxury flats left empty as land banking for the future while the homeless and the poor look for somewhere to live. We have to address these issues."
But a spokeswoman for the Prime Minister said: "We don't support proposals to seize private property. Our focus is on re-housing people as quickly as possible in the borough or a neighbouring borough and that still stands."
The Prime Minister has pledged to find homes for those affected by the tragedy within three weeks.
It also emerged today that the Department for Local Government has written to every council in England asking them to assess the safety of high rise flats in their areas in the wake of the disaster in west London..
Downing Street also expect a judge to be appointed to lead the public inquiry into the tragedy "very soon".
"The Prime Minister is very aware that people want answers promptly and we want to get this going promptly," said the spokeswoman.
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