Staff ReporterTheresa May and Jeremy Corbyn clashed over Grenfell Tower in the first Prime Minister’s Questions since the General Election.
The Labour leader faced shouts of “shame” and “apologise” from Tory backbenchers as he launched a furious attack on Government spending policy.
Mr Corbyn warned the tragedy which killed at least 79 people has “exposed the disastrous effect of austerity”.
He told the Commons: “When you cut local authority budgets by 40% we all pay a price in public safety.
“Those cuts to the fire service have meant there are 11,000 fewer firefighters, the public sector pay cap is hitting recruitment and retention right across the public sector.”
Mr Corbyn faced further heckling from Tory MPs, before adding: “This disregard for working-class communities, the terrible consequences of deregulation and cutting corners.
“I urge the Prime Minister to come up with the resources needed to test and remove cladding, retrofit sprinklers, properly fund the fire service and the police so that all our communities can truly feel safe in their own homes.
“This disaster must be a wake-up call.”
It comes as Theresa May announced the number of tower blocks which have failed fire safety tests has risen to 120.
Mrs May said the cladding of tower blocks did not start under her government or the coalition government, adding: “The cladding of tower blocks began under the Blair government.
