Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has today commended Croydon Council for its decision to install fire sprinklers in its tower blocks.

In the House of Commons this afternoon (June 21), Mr Corbyn said the government needed to help councils in improving fire safety standards.

“I welcome the fact that there’s a public enquiry going on into Grenfell, but can we take action now,” he said.

“I pay tribute to those councils, including Croydon Council for its commitment this week to install sprinklers in all tower blocks of ten storeys or more.

“But such minimal fire safety standards cannot be left to a post-code lottery, so will the government make available funds for councils to check cladding and install sprinklers.”

Earlier this week Croydon Council announced twenty-five housing blocks in Croydon would get fire sprinklers as part of Croydon Council’s response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

At the council’s cabinet meeting on Monday night, deputy leader councillor Alison Butler announced that the council will install fire sprinklers in all council blocks with 10, 11 or 12 storeys.

“This council is committed to installing fire sprinklers in 25 council blocks with 10 storeys or taller because last week’s tragedy showed we all need to bolster fire safety measures for our residents,” Cllr Buteler said.