‘We were all moved by this tragedy’
HOUSING SECRETARY’S PRAISE FOR FAMILY OF AWAAB AFTER FIGHT TO CHANGE LAW
MICHAEL Gove says he is confident Awaab’s Law will make ‘rapid progress’ after being voted through in the House of Lords.
The Social Housing (Regulation) Bill is due to be signed off by King Charles following a historic day in Westminster on Tuesday.
Awaab Ishak’s father delivered the petition in his son’s name to Number 10 Downing Street before Lords approved the new legislation.
More than 177,000 people signed the M.E.N. petition for Awaab’s Law on Change.org in memory of the two-yearold boy, who died following prolonged exposure to mould in a Rochdale social flat.
Housing secretary Mr Gove said politicians across the divide were ‘moved by Awaab’s case’ and that there was a ‘universal acceptance that change was needed.’
“We know that there are far too many homes in the rented sector that are just not in a decent state,” he told the M.E.N.
“It shouldn’t have taken Awaab’s death to focus attention, but out of that tragedy has come a renewed move to deal with this.”
Amendments were made to the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill earlier this year in line with the Awaab’s Law campaign, capturing the spirit of our demands. The Bill passed through the House of Commons in March before being debated for the final time in Parliament on Tuesday. It is now due to receive Royal Assent.
An outpouring of anger at Awaab’s death saw support for a change in the law soar in the days following his inquest. The demands could not be ignored by lawmakers.
Mr Gove said he was thankful to those who backed the campaign – and praised the strength of Awaab’s family.
“I think Awaab’s family have shown amazing courage,” he said. “To lose a child is a terrible thing, and to lose a child in the circumstances that Awaab’s parents lost their son is unimaginably sad. Then to have displayed the leadership that they have in pushing for change, I think is wholly admirable. I’m grateful to them, I’m grateful to the Manchester Evening News, I’m grateful to everyone that has signed the petition which has helped ensure that the right change has come.”
Awaab’s Law will mean social landlords have to follow strict timeframes to inspect cases of damp and mould, and carry out urgent repairs.