WOBO acknowledges the actions taking place linked to Grenfell.

TWO CAMPAIGNERS have won permission from the High Court to challenge the Government’s refusal to ensure that all disabled people can safely evacuate from high-rise blocks of flats in emergencies.

John Pring (Editor of the Disability News Service) has reported that Georgie Hulme and Sarah Rennie – the co-founders of the disabled-led leaseholder action group Claddag and both wheelchair users who live in high-rise buildings – have been told they can apply for a judicial review of the decision made by former Home Secretary Priti Patel.

Patel rejected the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s recommendation that all owners and managers of high-rise residential buildings should be forced to prepare a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan for all residents who might find it difficult to “self-evacuate”. That rejection – made on the grounds of “practicality, proportionality and safety” – came despite a promise from (then) Prime Minister Boris Johnson that he would implement all of the recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s first phase.

Hulme and Rennie have now been granted permission to seek a judicial review of the decision and have been told they have an “arguable” case. It’s hoped that their legal challenge will be heard by the end of the year.  Read more…

Disabled duo given go-ahead to challenge ministers on post-Grenfell evacuation