It’s two months since we launched the campaign for Awaab’s Law - and now we’ve had our biggest breakthrough yet.

After the inquest of tragic Awaab Ishak last November, coroner Joanne Kearsley called for a 'defining moment' for housing.

She wanted immediate, meaningful change. And she was not alone. 170,000 of you have joined with us to call on the Government to ensure no other child dies because of living in damp, mould, unsafe conditions.

Ms Kearsley said: "I'm sure I am not alone in asking how does this happen? How in the UK in 2020 does a two-year-old child die from exposure to mould in his home?

She wrote to Michael Gove and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Steve Barclay outlining her concerns and they have now formally replied settin out their plan.

An amendment to the Social Housing Regulation Bill, relating to hazards in social homes, will be tabled. The spirit of Awaab's Law will be captured in that bill, should it pass through Parliament, Mr Gove and Mr Barclay say.

We await clarification on some finer details - including the specifics around proposed time limits for private landlords to investigate concerns surrounding mould and damp - but this does represent real progress.

The measures will be enforced as 'soon as possible' and within six months Royal Assent, the pair have assured.

He’s also promising reform to make information on housing health and safety simpler for tenants and landlords, while addressing other concerns raised by the coroner.

Together, we're closer than ever to achieving something extraordinary. An amendment to the bill in Awaab's name is significant and should be recognised. The 'defining moment' - as Ms Kearsley put it - is nearing.

Thank you, once again, to every reader who has backed our campaign.  We could not have done this without the support of each and every one of you. 

But our work is not over yet. We need to check that the fine details of the proposals reflect our demands - and we need to urge our MPs to get this bill over the line.

That’s where we need, once again, to ask for your help. Please contact your MP to encourage them to back the Social Housing Regulation Bill - and the changes made in Awaab’s name -  as it returns to Parliament.

You can use www.writetothem.com and write in your own words or use this text: 

Dear X MP,

I am one of your constituents (YOUR NAME AND POSTCODE) and I am writing to you about Awaab’s Law. Awaab Ishak was a two year old boy living in Rochdale who died because of the mould in his home. Michael Gove is promising to address the issue with urgency, and an amendment to the Social Housing Regulation Bill is a key part of that. Please could you back the bill to make sure no child can die again in the same tragic conditions that little Awaab faced?

Thank you,

*your name* 

You can read more about the breakthrough here: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/a-defining-moment-exactly-how-25992259

And do please keep sharing the petititon  - how powerful would it sound if our supporters could say Awaab's Law has 200,000 backers when the bill is read out in the Commons?