Recommendation P2-50: Devise displaced person information recording methods
From Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 2 Report, published 4 September 2024.
Recommendation
RBKC had no effective means of collecting and recording information about those who had been displaced from the tower and surrounding buildings, including those who were missing. Compiling reliable information of that kind is difficult and the challenges likely to be faced by local authority Category 1 responders will vary according to the nature of the emergency. We recommend that all local authorities devise methods of obtaining and recording information of that kind, if possible in electronic form, and practise putting them into operation under a variety of different circumstances. (113.74)
In brief (written by this site)
In September 2026, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government reported that implementation remains in progress as it works with the Local Government Association and UK Resilience Academy to update resilience guidance (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Sep 2026; Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Sep 2026). The department stated that it has begun testing proposals with the sector, but delayed publication of the guidance to the fourth quarter of 2026 to align with local government reorganisation programmes and updated National Resilience Standards (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Sep 2026; Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Sep 2026).
Sources
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 26 Sep 2026. The record below is the sources' own words.
About this summary
This recommendation applies across many organisations. The record reflects central policy activity; adoption in individual organisations may vary.
Government response
The government supports this recommendation made towards local authorities. This responsibility will be highlighted in guidance that clarifies key duties on local authorities. We note that the ability and requirement to do this will be determined by the emergency, circumstances and the needs of people affected by the incident.
How this response relates to the recommendation
Site note: This is the government's response to the Phase 2 report (CP 1248, published 26 February 2025). It prints each recommendation and then the response to it. Where the recommendation is addressed to a body outside government, the response prints that body's own acceptance (the Architects Registration Board and RIBA, HMICFRS, London Fire Brigade, the National Fire Chiefs Council, the British Standards Institution, the National Police Chiefs' Council), and the row is filed under that body.
Site note: This recommendation is addressed to local authorities. The passage is the government's: it "supports" the recommendation, which is the government's position, not the authorities' own acceptance, and the row is filed under the UK Government. The site records no response from the authorities themselves.
Delivery
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government says in progress (10 September 2026)
Timeline for delivery
2026
- Government will identify the appropriate way to highlight this in guidance that clarifies key duties on local authorities by the end of spring 2026. – (Q4, Oct to Dec)
- Government will publish the refreshed LA Guidance. – (Q4, Oct to Dec)
Site note: This is the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's progress report of September 2026 on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations. Where the passage describes work by another body, such as the National Fire Chiefs Council, London Fire Brigade, fire and rescue services, the British Standards Institution or the Cabinet Office, it is the Ministry's account of that body's progress, and the row is filed under the Ministry.
Earlier statements on delivery (2)
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (10 September 2026)
In response to Recommendation 50, MHCLG is working with the Local Government Association and UK Resilience Academy to update the 2018 Local Authorities’ Chief Executive Resilience Guidance. The refreshed guidance will be used to highlight key duties on local authorities. MHCLG has begun testing the proposals with the sector and will continue to involve partners as the guidance is developed. The decision has been made to delay publication of the Local Authorities Guidance to Q4 (October to December) 2026 to align with the current Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution programmes; as well as plans to reflect updated National Resilience Standards in guidance, which are due to be published Q3 (July to September) 2026.
Site note: This is the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's progress report of September 2026 on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations. Where the passage describes work by another body, such as the National Fire Chiefs Council, London Fire Brigade, fire and rescue services, the British Standards Institution or the Cabinet Office, it is the Ministry's account of that body's progress, and the row is filed under the Ministry.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (25 February 2026)
MHCLG has been working with the Cabinet Office, the Department for Education (DfE), the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) and local authorities to consider the best approach to highlight these responsibilities in guidance in conjunction with recommendation 44.
From September to December, MHCLG has met with the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, the Association of Directors of Children’s Services, DHSC, DfE and the Local Government Association to support this work.
In 2026, MHCLG intends to review and publish ‘Local Authorities’ Preparedness for Civil Emergencies (2018) to highlight in guidance the key duties on local authorities for civil emergencies, including those raised by the Grenfell Inquiry report. MHCLG will do this with the Local Government Association and Society of Local Authority Chief Executives to ensure current sector leading practice informs the review, and in conjunction with the curriculum developed in response to recommendation 49.
MHCLG will continue to work closely with Cabinet Office to identify further opportunities in the year ahead to further clarify the expectations and duties on local authorities for civil emergencies, in conjunction with recommendation 44.
Site note: This is the annex of the government's Phase 2 annual report (CP 1512, published 25 February 2026) as GOV.UK publishes it, one page per theme: the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's account. Where the passage describes work by another body, such as the National Fire Chiefs Council, London Fire Brigade, the British Standards Institution, the Health and Safety Executive or the Cabinet Office, it is the report's account of that body's progress, and the row is filed under the Ministry. The status is what the passage says: completed only where it says the recommendation is complete or closed.
Site note: The source gives this passage once, for recommendations 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 and 55 together. The same words are recorded on P2-50, P2-51, P2-52, P2-53, P2-54 and P2-55.
Responsible bodies
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- UK Government
Response - Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Delivery statement