Theresa May faces anger at PMQs as she insists housing Grenfell victims is 'not just about bricks and mortar'

Theresa May faces anger at PMQs as she insists housing Grenfell victims is 'not just about bricks and mortar'

By Okorie Chioma - June 13 2018 

Theresa May faced anger at PMQs today as she insisted finding Grenfell victims a new home is "not just about bricks and mortar".

Some families still haven't been found permanent homes on the eve of the first anniversary of the tower block fire that killed 72 people.

Mrs May clashed with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn as they both wore green heart pins in honour of the victims.

Mr Corbyn said: "The sad truth and reality is many of them are still waiting for the security of a permanent home one year on from that disaster."

Yet Mrs May replied: "It isn't just about the buildings. It's not just about the bricks and mortar of a home."

The PM went on: "People who suffered that night are having to rebuild their lives.

"Many of them lost somebody, members of their families, with whom they had been living and making a home for years.

"They lost all their possessions, they lost their momentoes, they lost anything that reminds them of the person they loved.

"When they move into that new home they will be restarting their lives, and I wanted to pay tribute to all the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire for the strength and dignity that they have shown."

Labour hit out earlier this week saying just 82 of the 209 households hit had moved into permanent homes.

The PM said the number who had accepted an offer of a permanent home was much higher, at 183.

But that still leaves more than a dozen families without even the prospect of a roof over their head soon.

Mr Corbyn hit back, pointing out again that many were stuck in temporary accommodation.

He said: "I too pay tribute to the families for all they have been through and all the dignity they have shown.

"It's very important for the mental wellbeing of everybody to have somewhere they can call home and they know it is their home."

Mrs May said the Grenfell Tower fire was an "unimaginable tragedy" that remains "at the forefront of our minds", ahead of the one-year anniversary of the blaze on Thursday.

The Prime Minister, speaking during PMQs , said she attended a "moving" vigil on Monday in memory of those who lost their lives.

And she said: "Let me again reassure the House that we are doing everything that we can to see that the survivors of Grenfell get the homes and support that they need and the truth and justice that they deserve."