Michael Gove has confirmed his government department is looking at how Awaab's Law can become legislation 'as quickly as possible'. The promise comes after more than 120,000 have now signed our petition calling for a change in the law that would compel housing associations not to allow any other child, or anyone else, to suffer in damp and mouldy social housing.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News during a visit to Rochdale on Thursday (November 25), the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said he wanted to make sure the memory of Awaab Ishak is 'properly honoured'. Now, our readers are sharing what they think of that promise from the government, voicing fury that ‘it takes a child to die for the government even consider change’..
Awaab died aged two in December 2020 after breathing in mould at his home on Rochdale's Freehold estate, which is owned and managed by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH). Following his inquest, RBH was condemned for failing to deal with the issue before Awaab's death, with chief executive Gareth Swarbrick ousted from his role on Saturday (November 19).
READ MORE: After little Awaab's death the government is now promising change. It can't come soon enough
In the wake of Mr Gove’s commitment, social media users have shared their anger that the campaign had to be created in the first place following the needless tragic death of a little boy. Facebook commenter Vera Yorke said: “It's awful a young child has to die before the housing associations will repair these horrible damp homes.”
“You have had to wait for a child to die. Disgusting, absolutely disgusting,” commented Estelle Foy.
Facebook user Matt Charleston also reflected the hesitation Greater Manchester residents feel, saying: “Believe it when I see it. This government can promise what it wants, but doesn’t mean they’ll deliver it.”
Over the past week, more than 120,000 people have backed our campaign for Awaab's Law, ensuring no social housing tenants could suffer in the same conditions Awaab did.
Building on the Social Housing Regulation Bill which is currently going through Parliament, Awaab's Law also sets timeframes and requirements for inspections to be carried out on damp and mould, giving greater urgency to cases where health issues have been identified and making sure all residents are told their rights. The legal representatives of Awaab's family have also urged people to sign the petition, which has the support of Shelter and Citizens Advice in Rochdale.
Yesterday, Mr Gove spoke to Awaab's family and legal representatives, before confirming work to bring Awaab's Law into legislation was being looked at during a visit to the Freehold estate. He told the M.E.N. : "We're bringing forward legislation - the social housing regulation bill - which will be holding all landlords to account and I talked to Awaab's legal team about how we can make sure that legislation is as strong as possible so that Awaab's memory is properly honoured."
Speaking on Radio 4 this morning, the Housing Ombudsman has said calls to their hotline have jumped nearly 33 per cent in a week since Awaab's story has come to light. "That's really unusual," explained Richard Blakeway.
"The kind of calls we're getting are from people who are stressed, they're anxious. That's really understandable.
"It really reinforces the need for landlords to have really effective communications with their residents who, having seen what's happened in this terrible case with Awaab, are concerned about what it might mean for them.
"Our service has turned into an emergency service with people contacting us, which is not really our role."
Mr Gove added: "I have to praise the Manchester Evening News for shining a light on the condition of people who are living in homes that are not fit for human habitation. It's been campaigning journalism by a great newspaper and Awaab's Law has attracted, thanks to your championing and thanks to Awaab's legal team, the support of tens of thousands of people.
"I've asked my team to look now at the specific recommendations of Awaab's Law to see if we can bring it into force as soon as possible. You'll appreciate that what we need to do, and I explained it to Awaab's lawyers, is just make sure that the specific changes requested actually bring about the improvements that we all want to see.
"I'm not looking to delay, I just want to make sure that the spirit of Awaab's Law and where possible the letter of Awaab's Law is written into our statute book as quickly as possible. We're looking at exactly how we can do that.
"As everyone knows, the process of law-making and drafting and so on, sometimes isn't as quick as we would like it to be. But coming here today, talking to Awaab's family and speaking to others who are in similar conditions, only reinforces the urgency of acting."
Sign the petition for Awaab's Law here.
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