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'ALL LIVES MATTER'

Grenfell Tower victims’ fury over Government plans to splash £1.3 MILLION on Parliament safety sprinklers

GRENFELL Towers victims are furious at "shameful" Government plans to spent £1.3 million on retrofitting sprinklers in the Houses of Parliament when thousands of residents in high-rise towers blocks are reportedly waiting for the same safety measures.

Some local councils say they have been told there is NO Government cash to retrofit sprinklers even after the devastating blaze in June.

Dozens died after a huge blaze hit Ladbroke Grove's Grenfell Tower
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Dozens died after a huge blaze hit Ladbroke Grove's Grenfell TowerCredit: Eyevine

But reports that the retrofit sprinkler system for the Palace of Westminster is part of a massive £118million fire safety package.

At least 80 people were killed in the blaze in North Kensington, London.

The 24-storey tower underwent a multi-million pound renovation project which was completed last year - but still had no sprinkler system installed and residents had raised safety concerns.

Helen Gebremeskel, who lived in Grenfell for 20 years, was on the 21st floor with daughter Lulya, 12, when the fire broke out and they "just escaped with their lives" but lost "dear friends in the inferno".

Helen Gebremeskel and Lulya were nearly killed in the Grenfell Tower blaze
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Helen Gebremeskel and Lulya were nearly killed in the Grenfell Tower blazeCredit: Facebook
At least 80 people are thought to have died in the fire in West London in June
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At least 80 people are thought to have died in the fire in West London in JuneCredit: Eyevine
The House of Parliament is set to get a new sprinkler system, while many councils claim they have been told there's no cash for the same thing
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The House of Parliament is set to get a new sprinkler system, while many councils claim they have been told there's no cash for the same thingCredit: AFP

Ms Gebremeskel was shocked to learn that the Government was making such an investment in fire safety measures.

“I am disgusted the Tory Government can find money to retrofit sprinklers in the Palace of Westminster but won’t fund local councils to retrofit sprinklers in ordinary social housing high rise blocks around the country," she said.

"All lives matter, all lives should be protected."

Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn told the Sunday Mirror: "The life of a tower block resident is worth just as much as the life of an MP or peer."

Jeremy Corbyn has hit out at the cost and plans for new sprinkler system in Parliament
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Jeremy Corbyn has hit out at the cost and plans for new sprinkler system in ParliamentCredit: PA

The Sunday People reports that Alok Sharma, a housing minister, recently declined Nottingham City Council’s plea for £6million to provide sprinklers in 13 towers, saying the measures were "additional rather than essential".

Labour is demanding that the Government set aside £1billion to retrofit tower blocks with sprinklers.

Corbyn said in a speech on Thursday: “The Government is failing to learn the lessons from this tragedy.

"Grenfell was an entirely avoidable human disaster that must not be repeated."

Sir Martin Moore-Bick opens public inquiry into Grenfell Tower fire

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