Housing crisis Millions' health and economy at risk - report

Ministers have been warned that efforts to save the NHS and grow the economy will fail unless they tackle the housing crisis, as a damning report reveals that millions of people are living in substandard homes that risk worsening their health.

- Andrew Gregory

In total, 4.5 million people aged 50 or above with an existing health condition in England are living in poor-quality housing with one or more problems such as rising damp, rot or decay that may be making them even sicker, the Centre for Ageing Better analysis found. Of those, 1.7 million are aged 70 or over.

Keir Starmer promised to reduce NHS waiting times and make the UK the fastest-growing major economy by the end of Labour's first term. But ministers have been told that the drive to stabilise the health service and deliver sustained economic growth will flop unless subpar housing stock is urgently improved.