Grenfell Tower memorial and community recovery programme set to cost the taxpayer more than £340million

Maintaining the remains of Grenfell Tower and creating a memorial as part of community recovery programme is set to cost the taxpayer more than £340million.

The figure was contained in government documents seen by the Grenfell Next of Kin group.

The huge bill — earmarked by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities — emerged on the eve of the publication of an official report into the 2017 fire, which killed more than 72 people.

Sir Martin Moore-Bick, chairman of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, is expected to criticise previous Conservative governments, Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council and cladding and construction companies over the disaster. His report is due on Wednesday.

In a report due to be published on Wednesday, Sir Martin Moore-Bick, chairman of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, is expected to criticise previous Conservative governments, Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council and cladding and construction companies over the disaster

Grieving families have accused the £170 million seven-year public inquiry, of delaying justice by preventing prosecutions until its findings are complete.

Imran Khan KC, who represented victims at the inquiry, has said that it had simply ‘retraumatised’ his clients.

Experts predict that any legal action will not take place before 2027, a decade after the fire.

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: ‘We remain fully committed to supporting the Grenfell community and their long-term recovery. 

‘While Grenfell Tower and the memorial is a significant part of the overall programme, the funding also includes wider work to help support long-term recovery for the Grenfell community.

‘The Government is responsible for keeping the Grenfell Tower site secure and we want to see a fitting and lasting memorial determined by the community.’