The seven-year-old died after the River Thames flooded his Chertsey home in 2014. His parents have long disputed the results of a 2016 inquest which concluded that he died of carbon monoxide poisoning. The couple believe Zane was exposed to hydrogen cyanide released from contaminated land behind the property after floodwater disturbed the site.
The inquiry will examine the circumstances of Zane's death, the response of public services and the treatment of his family afterwards.
Usdaw general secretary Joanne Thomas says: “Zane’s parents have shown extraordinary courage and determination in their decade-long campaign to find out why their beloved son died. No family should have to fight this hard and this long for answers.
“I welcome the Government’s decision to establish this inquiry. It is vital that everyone involved engages with the process openly, honestly and transparently so that the family can finally get the answers they have sought for so many years.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is one of the fastest growing unions in the TUC and the UK's fifth biggest with around 370,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also represents many workers in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades www.usdaw.org.uk
For Usdaw press releases visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Bluesky @usdawunion.bsky.social and Twitter/X @UsdawUnion