In Awaab's name, no more children must suffer

Once again, the image of a happy, carefree child - a child about to lose his life amid unthinkable conditions at his home - has appeared on newspaper websites across the country.

The latest chapter in the tragic case of Awaab Ishak is unfolding.

We've taken a step forward in our campaign in the toddler's name. But let's be clear, the fight for tangible change goes on.

Until Awaab's Law is enshrined on the statute book, we will not rest. Until every element set out in our petition is addressed - and the details made absolutely clear - we'll continue to push.

We commended Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove for making all the right noises when we visited Rochdale's Freehold estate back in November following the conclusion of Awaab's inquest.

Such was the enormity of the scandal, the government minister felt it necessary to knock on doors and see for himself the conditions people were living in.

Michael Gove knocking on doors on the Freehold estate (Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)

The case has catapulted poor social housing conditions onto the national news agenda. At the centre of it all remains two parents, who, despite their grief, are fighting for change.

We said it then, and we'll say it now - it took a child's death for the country to listen. That harrowing truth cannot be understated or forgotten.

Mr Gove and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Steve Barclay have now formally replied to coroner Joanne Kearsley. The wheels are in motion; their plan has been set out.

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.

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.

Shelter says the bill is 'long overdue'. Since the Manchester Evening News joined forces with the housing charity, we've seen how tough it's been to get to this point. An amendment this far down the road is momentous, but we're not quite there.

The timing of the ministers' response to Ms Kearsley is notable following the publication of a report into a Freedom of Information request by Radar, which revealed thousands of complaints about leaks, damp and mould have been made about social housing across England in the past three years.

Some 5,838 complaints were made to the Housing Ombudsman. Of these, 3,915 were about properties managed by housing associations, and 1,861 were for housing provided by or on behalf of local authorities.

Vital research like that, one suspects, wouldn't have been carried out had Awaab's case not hit the headlines across the country.

Thank you, once again, to every reader who has backed our campaign. As of lunchtime today (January 14), that's 171,233 of you.