Grenfell Tower residents given immigration amnesty

Survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire have been offered a temporary immigration amnesty by officials in an attempt to ensure that all victims come forward for help.

Families have been assured that the Home Office will not make checks on the status of anyone making contact with officials for support after the disaster.

Those who were living in the UK illegally have also been offered a route to gain temporary leave to remain, announced the Home Office minister Brandon Lewis in a written statement to the Commons.

He said they would be offered an amnesty for a year - including the right to claim benefits and access public services - under discretionary powers to grant leave to remain outside the normal immigration rules.

The Home Office will offer temporary leave to remain to victims of the fire. Credit: PA

Police have said that at least 80 people died in the west London fire, but there are concerns that they may not have an accurate picture of who was living in the block.

The Communities Secretary Sajid Javid had previously guaranteed that no one who illegally sublet a flat in the tower block will be protected if they come forward with information.

Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott said the immigration measures did not go far enough for those who lived through the disaster, saying they should be given the right to stay in the UK permanently.

"Some survivors have literally lost everything in thishorrific tragedy, all their possessions, homes and loved ones," she said.

"The idea that on top of this they could be deported later is grotesque.

"To access all the support they need without fear of deportation, any survivors concerned about their status must be given indefinite leave to remain."

A woman signs a wall of condolence messages. Credit: PA

Meanwhile, the Government has faced criticism after it failed to meet a self-imposed deadline to rehouse every person who lost their home in the fire.

Many residents said they had not been offered a suitable place to live permanently.

Housing minister Alok Sharma today said that some delays were caused as a result of families choosing to wait before making a decision. He said the "pace" the families want to move has to be respected.

The Government has today announced a taskforce to take over key sections of the local Kensington and Chelsea council following the disaster.