'I want Awaab's Law to be as strong as possible to make sure his memory is honoured'

LEVELLING UP SECRETARY MICHAEL GOVE PRAISES M.E.N. CAMPAIGN ON VISIT TO ROCHDALE ESTATE

-  STEPHEN TOPPING

MICHAEL Gove has confirmed his government department is looking at how Awaab's Law can become legislation 'as quickly as possible! Speaking to the Manchester Evening News during a visit to Rochdale, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said he wanted to make sure the memory of Awaab Ishak is 'properly honoured!

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 being ousted from his role on Saturday (November 19).

The M.E.N. first spoke to other tenants on the estate in the summer, when families spoke of their own battles with mould and how their children struggled with breathing difficulties.

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.