PUBLIC inquiry recommendations into disasters like Grenfell are “too often” ignored, peers have said as they called for a new parliamentary committee to monitor how they are implemented.

The cross-party Lords statutory inquiries committee found today that many recommendations were not followed up, risking the “recurrence of a disaster” — such as at Grenfell Tower.

Ministers establishing a public inquiry should consider including a deadline for it to conclude or demand a series of interim reports so recommendations can be implemented quickly, the committee report suggested.

The committee’s chairman Lord Norton of Louth said: “‘Lessons learned’ is an entirely vacuous phrase if lessons aren’t being learned because inquiry recommendations are ignored or delayed.

“Furthermore, it is insulting and upsetting for victims, survivors and their families who frequently hope that, from their unimaginable grief, something positive might prevail.

“So the monitoring and implementation of inquiry recommendations is essential. 

“Additionally, public trust is lost where inquiries are unnecessarily protracted, and costs perceived to be excessive.

“The findings of this report aim to make inquiries as effective, cost-efficient and trusted as possible.”

The report noted that so far this year public attention has been focused on the Grenfell Tower, infected blood, Post Office, Covid-19 and Thirlwall inquiries but these are only five of the 18 that have been taking place in Britain.

But many campaigners have said they have “no faith” that inquiries lead to change and believe that recommendations would “simply disappear.”

Inquiry recommendations are often not subsequently implemented which “is inexcusable, as it risks the recurrence of a disaster and undermines the whole purpose of holding an inquiry in the first place,” the report said.

The peers heard that had the recommendations from the inquiry into deaths at the Bristol Royal Infirmary in 2001 been implemented, then the patient deaths investigated by the Mid-Staffordshire Hospitals inquiry in 2013 may have been less likely to occur.

And had the changes recommended by the 2013 inquest into the Lakanal House fire been made, then the Grenfell Tower fire might have been prevented.

The peers called for a new, independent committee of Parliament to conduct oversight of inquiries, monitor the government response and hold ministers to account to ensure recommendations which have been accepted are actually implemented.

The government said it remains “absolutely committed” to righting past wrongs and ensuring justice is delivered to victims, and will consider the report’s findings and recommendations.