The report said that deaths in the Grenfell tower fire could have been avoided (Picture: Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)
Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments.
Still no charges?
We now know that the 72 deaths caused by the Grenfell fire could have been avoided (Metro, Thu).
This, were it not for companies’ greed and ‘systematic dishonesty’, government cuts to ‘red tape’ that meant even matters affecting safety of life were ignored and that the richest local authority area in the UK and its tenant management organisation were ‘indifferent’ to managing the fire safety and residents on the estate.
And still, seven years later, the residents and their families still have to wait for criminal charges for what has been confirmed as 72 avoidable deaths. Corin, London
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
METRO TALK – HAVE YOUR SAY
Let us know what you think…
Start a text with VIEWS followed by your comment, name and where you live to 65700. Standard network charge applies. Or email mail@ukmetro.co.uk Helpline for Views, Rush-Hour Crush and Good Deed Feed: 020 3615 0600.
Remember, you are more likely to be published if you provide your name and location with your
Full T&Cs here. Metro.co.uk is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation. Comments may be edited for reasons of legality, clarity or space.
The Grenfell Tower fire occurred on 14 June 2017 at the 24-storey Grenfell Tower block of public housing flats in North Kensington, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, West London. It caused at least 80 deaths and over 70 injuries. (Credits: Getty Images)
The Grenfell Tower report should serve as the death of deregulation in respect of public safety.
The report points out that in 2010, ministers were told to ‘cut red tape’.
Clearly all the recommendations of the report should be implemented as soon as possible. There also need to be explanations from the police as to why they need so long before they can press charges on those who were responsible for the deaths of so many. Andrew McLuskey, Middlesex
Is time to boycott for what you believe in?
At least seven civilians were killed and 64 wounded in the Ukrainian city of Lviv on Wednesday (Credits: Global Images Ukraine via Getty)
Following more atrocious crimes conducted by Russia, with help from China, to fund its war in Ukraine, I wonder how many readers are reducing – as I am – purchases of items manufactured in these countries?
In Vladimir Putin’s latest attack, four members of the same family were killed in a drone and missile strike in Lviv, near the Polish border (Metro, Thu).
It’s the western addiction to consumerism that is fuelling this war. So the next time you go online, using your Chinese phone, and search for some tatty plastic item, picture the missile leaving Russia. Ryan, Southend
That’s a lot of property to heat
Christopher Whitehead (MetroTalk, Thu) says it is ‘grossly unfair’ that he and his wife will no longer receive the £200 winter fuel allowance.
He says they are ‘by no means wealthy’ but live in a band F property. Perhaps downsizing would cut energy bills? Why must taxpayers support this? Emma, Stourbridge
Mr Whitehead suggests taxing the winter fuel allowance rather than scrapping it for those not in receipt of pension credit. I’m pretty sure that would cost a lot more to administer than it would save. Kelly, Luton
Is cash king… Or not?
A reader notes that people are still depositing and withdrawing cash but there are no checkouts to use it (Credits: Getty Images)
The Post Office says it handled a record amount of cash in July, with deposits and withdrawals of £3.7billion.
Many people have realised the only way to manage their spending during the latest financial crisis is to keep tighter control of their money.
Sadly, banks are not responding to customers’ needs by providing more branches and/or teller desks.
Similarly, supermarkets are not increasing the number of checkouts where you can use cash. Martin J Phillips, Leeds
A lesson in women’s anatomy
Masseur Marcelo Oliveira has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman by touching her ‘vagina’ (Metro, Thu).
A woman’s vagina is inside her body and it is far more likely he was touching her vulva. Why is there so much misnaming of women’s bodies? Marianne, Barnet
Sir Keir wants to get a grip on ticket price surging
Keir Starmer told Matt Chorley on BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘We’ll grip this and make sure that actually tickets are available at a price that people can actually afford.’(Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Sir Keir Starmer says he will do something about gig prices after Oasis fans were either unable to get reunion tickets or saw the cost online rocket from £148 to £355 (Metro, Wed).
The number of tickets available for any event is determined by the size of the venue. Perhaps the PM will explain how he will make more tickets available.
As for the price going up, the contract is made at checkout time, not before. If you don’t like the price, don’t buy – someone else will. Neither the Competition and Markets Authority nor the PM should get involved. Andrew Turek, London
Is this what Labour really means when they say ‘grey belt’?
Daniel Austin (MetroTalk, Wed) refers to the ‘grey belt’, as championed by Labour for its house-building plans.
What Labour is really proposing is a full-scale assault on the green belt.
We’re seeing it in Surrey. In Hookwood developers have won permission to build 446 homes on classic green-belt land of woods and fields.
Another obvious absurdity is housing secretary Angela Rayner saying she’s going to build new towns on ‘grey belt’ land such as old car parks. She must know some very large car parks. John Daniels, Redhill