It was a tidal wave of anger that turned to action - then it went quiet. We can't wait any longer for Awaab's Law
Once the truth had been uncovered, a roar of anger was unleashed that lawmakers couldn't ignore.
People up and down the country were rightly horrified that a toddler could die after breathing in rancid, toxic mould at a social flat in 21st century Greater Manchester. The fact that his parents had pleaded for help, time and time again before it was too late, broke hearts across the nation.
The days that followed Awaab Ishak's inquest were a whirlwind. While politicians of all stripes demanded change at Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, the landlord responsible, tens of thousands backed our call to make sure Awaab's story could not be repeated.
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It was a tidal wave that began to feel unstoppable.
Nine days on from Awaab's inquest coming to an end, then-Housing Secretary Michael Gove visited Rochdale and told me he would look at introducing Awaab's Law. Seven months later, I sat with Awaab's father in the House of Lords, as his son's name rang around the chamber - and his legacy was secured.
Awaab's Law will set strict timeframes for social landlords to fix and repair health hazards, including damp and mould. His death shouldn't have happened, but Awaab's legacy will save other lives.
So it is disappointing that two harsh winters have passed since that day - at a time when so many people are struggling to heat their homes - and tenants are still yet to benefit from Awaab's Law.
This week the Government made its first significant announcement on introducing Awaab's Law since it was mentioned in the King's Speech. The first measures will be introduced in October this year.
It's a huge step in the right direction. But there is still much more to be done.
Last January, the Government launched a consultation to get feedback on how Awaab's Law would work. A response was expected to follow which confirmed the timescales landlords would have to stick to when inspecting and repairing damp and mould hazards.
But the response never arrived before the election in July. Labour came to power with a promise to extend Awaab's Law to the private sector - a move the M.E.N. welcomes - but it failed to get the original law working, before a winter which has brought sub-zero temperatures.
Now we know it will be another eight months before Awaab's Law measures start to be introduced. The Government says emergency hazards will have to be resolved in 24 hours, or landlords could be taken to court.
But we are still waiting for clarity on the timescales landlords must follow when inspecting and repairing damp issues which are not considered the most severe emergencies. It also remains to be seen how severe a problem will be before it meets the threshold for 24-hour action.
Awaab's Law will then be extended to cover other hazards - such as excess cold, structural collapse and electrical risks - in 2026, before the law covers an even wider range of issues in 2027. When the changes are implemented, Awaab's Law will go much further and be more powerful than the original campaign intended.
But the pace of change has felt turgid in the last 18 months. Shelter, which campaigned alongside Awaab's family and the M.E.N., notes that the previous Government had intended for Awaab's Law to come into force by autumn 2024.
Angela Rayner, Mr Gove's successor, told MPs that Awaab's Law should progress 'as quickly as possible'. This must be a top priority for the Government - we have already waited long enough.
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