Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Time to start learning from mistakes
The paper says that new analysis by Labour MP, Joe Powell found that at least 87 contracts across the public sector in the government’s own database involve companies criticised in the phase 2 report into the Grenfell fire, published in September 2024, though some contracts may have since expired:
Two large companies linked to the disaster – Saint-Gobain and Rydon Maintenance – appear in the public contracts database with contracts worth millions in the public sector.
Rydon, the main contractor for the refurbishment, was heavily criticised. The inquiry concluded that the company “gave inadequate thought to fire safety” and failed to ensure subcontractors and consultants properly understood their responsibilities.
Rydon’s team was found to be inexperienced and relied on subcontractors to highlight errors.
But the company also appears on multiple public contracts, including facilities management services for NHS trusts worth millions. Confirmed contracts include £6.6m with Oxleas NHS foundation trust and £4.3m with Avon and Wiltshire mental health partnerships NHS trust. The trusts did not respond to requests for comment.
In total the database showed 14 contracts with Rydon with unspecified end dates worth more than £5.5bn – though some of the contracts may have since expired. Rydon did not respond to requests for comment.
Powell has written to the NHS trusts involved, as well as Scottish Water, asking them to review their contracts. In his letter to Penny Dash, the chair of NHS North West London, Powell said the trust should review its contract with Rydon.
“It is essential that while we wait for the criminal justice process to conclude, those companies cited in the inquiry are not benefiting from any public funds,” he wrote.
Another of the companies, Celotex, then owned by Saint-Gobain, was found to have marketed its RS5000 insulation as safe for use on high-rise buildings despite knowing it was combustible – and it was used for 95% of the insulation on the tower. The company has said it was intended for use with non-combustible cladding.
During the inquiry, a former Celotex employee testified that they were made to “lie for commercial gain” and described the company’s actions as “completely unethical”.
The procurement data shows that Saint-Gobain continues to hold a £17.6m contract with Scottish Water that runs until 2029. It is no longer the parent company of Celotex, but was at the time of the fire. Scottish Water declined to comment.
A spokesperson for Saint-Gobain Construction Products UK said it comprised “a wide range of businesses, including Saint-Gobain PAM, a manufacturer of high-performance ductile iron pipes for infrastructure and water projects.
“Those businesses had no connection with the refurbishment of Grenfell Tower, nor with Celotex Limited, which has not traded since December 2015. They were not referenced during the inquiry or subsequent government announcements, and their integrity has not been called into question.
“Saint-Gobain businesses have been manufacturing in the UK since 1846. They are a critical supply chain partner across numerous UK construction and infrastructure projects, valued employers, and contributors to the economic areas and local communities in which they operate.”
The Procurement Act 2023 gives local authorities, NHS bodies and other public organisations the power to exclude suppliers for poor past performance, including breaches of health and safety, labour or environmental law, or professional misconduct.
Powell said the powers needed to be used more proactively to protect public safety and public funds, rather than relying on voluntary caution by contracting authorities.
Whatever the reason, the fact that responsible contractors are continuing to benefit from public funds cannot reassure the victims of this disaster and the sooner the legal process is concluded, the better.
