We owe it to Awaab, his family and every tenant

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner sets out how the changes will 'make life better' for people renting homes

- BY ANGELA RAYNER, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

READERS will need no reminders about the tragic death of Awaab Ishak in 2020.

The appalling details shocked not only Greater Manchester but the country. How could a toddler lose his life to respiratory disease, caused by extensive mould in his family's rented flat in Rochdale?

The more we learned about the case, the worse it got. His parents, Faisal Abdullah and Aisha Amin, had been raising concerns about the mould for three years, yet their landlord failed to act. Awaab's death was entirely preventable.

When I took on this role, I promised that whether you rent, are buying a home or have no home - this government would stand with you. And I meant it.

Our mission is clear: to make housing safe and decent for everyone. It doesn't matter if you live in social or private housing - your home must be safe.

So today I'm proud to have laid regulations in Parliament that will bring the first phase of Awaab's Law into effect in October.