The Mancunian Way: A momentous day

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"This law will make a real difference to people's lives, and I hope that brings some degree of comfort to all of those who knew and who loved Awaab." Those were the words of Baroness Scott of Bybrook as the House of Lords approved a bill setting out Awaab's Law.

It was a momentous day for campaigners. Two-year-old Awaab Ishak died following prolonged exposure to mould in a social housing flat on Rochdale's Freehold estate in December 2020.

More than 18 months after his death, the M.E.N. revealed other families were still living in similar conditions on the same estate. The scandal saw bosses held to account - and their chief executive step down - as it sent shockwaves through the social housing sector.

Now Awaab's Law is set to become a reality. Once on the statute book, it will mean social landlords will face strict time limits to inspect and repair damp and mould.

Other measures include Ofsted-style inspections for housing associations and the requirement for management of social landlords to have professional qualifications.

In today's Mancunian Way we'll hear from M.E.N. journalist Stephen Topping, whose investigation into Awaab's death and conditions in Freehold helped expose the scandal, as he looks back on the campaign.

Elsewhere, we'll hear what Andy Burnham plans to do to tackle rogue landlords and pay a visit to the most affordable place to live in Greater Manchester.

It was a scandal that should have never happened, writes Stephen Topping. But now, thanks to