Image caption,

Campaign group Claddag, founded by Georgie Hulme (right) and Sarah Rennie (centre-left), took the government to the High Court

By Hayley Clarke & Nathan Standley

Journalist

Campaigners have lost their High Court battle with the government over its decision not to implement evacuation plans for disabled high-rise residents.

Campaign group Claddag wanted it to be a legal requirement for escape plans to be in place for those who might not be able to get out safely in an emergency.

But a Home Office consultation found the Grenfell Tower Inquiry's recommendations would be too costly and impractical to implement.

It is pursuing an alternative idea.

In October 2019, the chairman of the Grenfell Inquiry recommended that there should be a legal requirement for owners and managers of high-rise residential buildings to prepare "Peeps" (personal emergency evacuation plans) for residents with mobility issues or visual, hearing or cognitive impairments.

In the Grenfell fire, which killed 72 people in June 2017, 41% of the tower block's disabled residents died.

Future of Grenfell Tower still unsure six years on