Latest news with #Awaab
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Awaab Ishak's family say Government 'broke promise' and warn 'delays will cost lives'
Awaab Ishak's family have accused the government of 'breaking a promise' following a major announcement issued last week. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) announced the first measures of Awaab's Law would be introduced in October 2025. Social landlords could be taken to court if they fail to meet strict new timeframes to inspect hazards, including damp and mould, under the new legislation. From October, councils and housing associations will need to meet strict timeframes to tackle damp and mould issues, while the most serious emergency health hazards must be resolved in 24 hours. The scope of Awaab's Law - which followed a campaign involving the Manchester Evening News, Shelter, Awaab's family representatives, and local MPs - will then be widened to include other hazards in a 'phased approach' in 2026 and 2027. Specific details on the timeframes landlords must follow are yet to be confirmed, however. READ MORE: 'We pawned our engagement ring so we didn't have to go home' READ MORE: M62 fire: Drivers face seven-mile queues approaching Manchester And the announcement made last week represents a 'delay' against a previous statement made by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner at last year's Labour party conference. She told delegates at the time: "I will clamp down on damp and mouldy homes by bringing in Awaab's Law in the social rented sector this autumn and we'll extend it to the private rented sector too." In a statement issued through their legal team, Awaab's family have claimed this 'delay' to be a 'broken promise'. They are also concerned about the lack of clarity over the timeframes social landlords must follow - with the family insisting that 'these delays will cost lives'. The statement said: "Awaab's parents feel that the government has broken a promise - delaying the full implementation of Awaab's Law despite committing to its introduction in the social housing sector by autumn last year. While emergency repairs and protections from damp and mould are set to take effect in October, crucial measures to address other serious hazards - including fire and electrical safety - have now been pushed back to 2026 and 2027. "Given the delays that have already taken place, Awaab's parents have little faith that these deadlines will be met - and nothing prevents further slippage. To them, this is not in keeping with the urgency of the issue. "Awaab's parents have approached this process in extremely good faith, recognising the complexity of legislative change and allowing the government time to introduce a robust, fair, and workable Awaab's Law. Out of respect for the process, they chose not to apply pressure, even after the autumn deadline was missed. "They trusted that progress was being made. Never did they imagine such significant delays would follow. Until the day of the government's announcement, they had received no prior indication of this." The statement continues: "Their frustration is not for themselves, but for the thousands of families still trapped in unsafe homes - families they speak to every day. These families cannot afford to wait indefinitely for protections that should already be in place. "They also remain deeply concerned that the government is yet to set out clear timeframes within which landlords must carry out repairs under Awaab's Law - especially given its initial commitment to having the law ready by autumn last year. Awaab's parents are clear: these delays will cost lives. They urge the public to continue supporting the implementation of Awaab's Law to ensure it becomes a reality without further delay." Last week, the Government said the phased introduction of Awaab's Law would mean it is 'applied as effectively as possible', with housing providers able to adapt to the changes. But Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, warned that 'delays to implementation represent a real risk to the health and safety of tenants, and puts lives at risks'. Paying tribute to Awaab's family last week, Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook said: 'Awaab Ishak's family have tenaciously and courageously fought to secure justice, not only for their son but for all those who live in social housing. Awaab's Law will help to drive a transformational and lasting change in the safety and quality of social housing, ensuring tenants are treated with fairness and respect." The Government insists social housing providers still have a duty to keep their homes fit for human habitation, remedy disrepair and ensure they meet the Decent Homes Standard prior to Awaab's Law coming into force. MHCLG has been approached for further comment.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
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. READ MORE: I tried six bottles of supermarket budget whisky - there's one that was excellent READ MORE: B&M's £2.29 exclusive product is my new favourite 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.
The Independent
06-02-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Social landlords forced to fix dangerous mould from October under Awaab's law
Awaab's law to force social landlords to fix dangerous damp and mould will come into force in October. The legislation is named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died as a direct result of exposure to mould in the social home his family rented in Rochdale in 2020. From October, landlords will have to investigate and fix dangerous damp and mould within a set period of time and repair all emergency hazards within 24 hours. Landlords cannot be allowed to rent out dangerous homes and shamelessly put the lives of their tenants at risk Angela Rayner The law will then be strengthened over time and from 2027 it will require landlords to fix all dangerous hazards. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: 'We have a moral duty to ensure tragedies like the death of Awaab Ishak never happen again. ' Landlords cannot be allowed to rent out dangerous homes and shamelessly put the lives of their tenants at risk. 'Our new laws will force them to fix problems quickly, so that people are safe in their homes and can be proud to live in social housing.' Housing charity Shelter urged the Government to 'fully and swiftly' implement the law. The Government must make good on their promise and fully and swiftly implement Awaab's law Polly Neate, Shelter Chief executive Polly Neate said: 'Awaab Ishak's legacy must be that no other family has to witness poor housing conditions putting their child's life at risk. 'These delays to implementation represent a real risk to the health and safety of tenants, and puts lives at risks. 'The Government must make good on their promise and fully and swiftly implement Awaab's law.' The Government plans to lay its legislation in Parliament as quickly as possible to secure protections. The first phase of the law will apply from October and it will then be extended to cover a wider range of hazards. It is expected to cover excess cold and excess heat, falls, structural collapse, fire and hygiene hazards from 2026. Then from 2027 another expansion is planned to cover remaining hazards under the housing health and safety rating system, excluding overcrowding. The Government is also seeking to extend the powers to the private rented sector through its Renters' Rights Bill, Ms Rayner said. She said they would be consulting about how to apply Awaab's law to privately rented homes in a way that is 'fair and proportionate' for tenants and landlords.
The Guardian
06-02-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Delay to ‘Awaab's law' ‘puts lives of social housing tenants at risk'
Campaigners have criticised the government for putting lives at risk by delaying a law to make social landlords fix dangerous hazards quickly. Angela Rayner, the housing secretary, and Matthew Pennycook, her housing minister, announced on Thursday they were giving landlords in the social rented sector until 2027 before they have to start fixing all dangerous hazards within a set timeframe. The law, known as Awaab's law, is designed to prevent a repeat of the events of 2020, when two-year-old Awaab Ishak was killed by mould in a social housing flat in Rochdale. Announcing the bill's implementation, Rayner said: 'We have a moral duty to ensure tragedies like the death of Awaab Ishak never happen again. Landlords cannot be allowed to rent out dangerous homes and shamelessly put the lives of their tenants at risk. 'Our new laws will force them to fix problems quickly, so that people are safe in their homes and can be proud to live in social housing.' Shelter however said the grace period for landlords was far too long. Polly Neate, the charity's chief executive, said: 'Awaab Ishak's legacy must be that no other family has to witness poor housing conditions putting their child's life at risk. The government promised to bring in Awaab's law, forcing landlords to deal with serious hazards in social homes within clear time frames, last autumn. 'However four years after Awaab's death … today's announcement means social housing tenants will have to wait years longer for this vital protection. These delays to implementation represent a real risk to the health and safety of tenants, and puts lives at risk.' Labour promised in opposition to enact Awaab's law after it was originally proposed by the Conservatives but never passed. Rayner said last year: 'We'll clamp down on mouldy homes by bringing in Awaab's law into the social rented sector … to end the scandal of people living in unacceptable conditions.' On Thursday the government clarified the timetable for its implementation of the act. From October, social landlords will have 24 hours to make emergency repairs, including to damp and mould. Next year, they will have to make immediate repairs to a broader range of hazards, expected to include excess cold and heat, structural collapse, fire, electrical problems and hygiene hazards. Landlords will have until 2027 however until they have to begin fixing other hazards immediately, including asbestos, exposure to lead or radiation and contaminated water supplies. Officials said the timescale would 'allow the government to test and learn so that the reforms benefit social tenants and secure the lasting legacy that Awaab Ishak's family have fought so hard for'. Ministers have also promised to extend Awaab's law to the private sector, but have not given a timeline for doing so. They are also consulting on new energy efficiency standards for the private sector and legislating to require social landlords to carry out electrical safety checks at least every five years.
BBC News
06-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Awaab's Law: Plan to make social landlords fix mould in force from October
Landlords will be forced to investigate and fix damp and mould in social housing in England within strict timescales from October, the government has announced. Campaigners had called for the reforms after two-year-old Awaab Ishak died from mould exposure at his Rochdale home in 2020. However, the implementation of the changes - known as Awaab's law - will be phased, with timeframes for other hazards, such as structural and electrical issues, not introduced until 2026 at the earliest. Housing charity Shelter said the delays "represent a real risk to the health and safety of tenants, and puts lives at risks" From October, social landlords - generally the local council or a housing association - will also be required to repair all emergency hazards within 24 hours. Timescales for investigating other hazards will be set out in the government's response to a consultation, at a later date. However, previous proposals under the Conservatives suggested social landlords should be required to investigate and provide a timeline for repair within 14 days of being made aware of the hazard. Under those proposals, if there is a significant risk to health or safety repair works must begin within 7 who fail to comply face being taken to court and ordered to pay a written ministerial statement, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said the phased approach allowed protections from damp and mould to be brought in earlier and enabled an initial period of testing to ensure the changes were implemented effectively. In 2026, timeframes for non-emergency repairs will apply to a wider range of hazards including excess cold and heat, structural collapse, fire, electrical faults and hygiene hazards. Then in 2027, this will be expanded to the remaining hazards listed in regulations, excluding government stressed that this "in no way means that social landlords have any leeway when it comes to meeting their existing duties to address dangers to health and safety present in their homes". Social landlords already have a duty to keep their homes fit for human habitation and free of hazards. Awaab's law was first passed in July 2023 under the previous Conservative government but has not yet been brought into force. Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said the latest announcement "means social housing tenants will have to wait years longer for this vital protection". She added: "The government must make good on their promise and fully and swiftly implement Awaab's Law."The government is also planning to extend Awaab's law to the private rented sector in the Renters' Rights Bill, which is currently making its way through Parliament. Ministers have previously said they hope the law will be passed by the summer. Damp problems are more prevalent in privately rented homes, with 9% of homes affected, compared to 7% of social housing in 2023, according to the English Housing who is also housing secretary, said: "We have a moral duty to ensure tragedies like the death of Awaab Ishak never happen again."Landlords cannot be allowed to rent out dangerous homes and shamelessly put the lives of their tenants at risk."
