MPs call on Minister to tackle Britain’s unhealthy homes

The Healthy Homes and Buildings APPG has called on the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities secretary to tackle Britain's unhealthy homes this winter.

Following the tragic death of a two year old boy, Awaab Ishak - which was officially attributed to excessive damp and mould in his home, Jim Shannon MP, the Chair of the Healthy Homes and Buildings APPG, has written to Michael Gove asking him to take immediate and urgent action to ensure the nation's homes and buildings do not cause or exacerbate poor health and wellbeing.

In his letter, he highlighted that as winter approaches and temperatures drop there will be a record number of excess winter deaths.

Those living in 'poor quality' housing will not be able to keep their homes properly ventilated, warm and dry, and this dire situation will only be exacerbated by the cost of living and fuel crises.

He further drew attention to the Healthy Homes and Buildings APPG's new campaign Healthy Homes for Healthy Britain. This campaign aims to raise public awareness of the UK's unhealthy housing stock and how that impacts the nation's health.

It calls on Government to take forward the recommendations made in the Healthy Homes and Buildings APPG's White Paper and to use a joined-up and holistic approach when dealing with the nation's housing and health & wellbeing.

The letter states that it cannot be “morally right” for so many people to be living in such sub-standard homes.

“Given unhealthy housing impacts so negatively on the nation’s economic growth, business performance, educational attainment, life chances and ability to deliver green homes, it is surely time to place healthy homes at the heart of your levelling up plans,” the letter continues. “This is something I called for in my recent Westminster Hall debate.

“Health and housing are, and always have been, inextricably linked. If one thinks about defining a person’s basic needs, the right to a healthy home is surely fundamental. Healthy homes and buildings are not simply those where there is a lack of ill health but should be homes and buildings which actually maximise the occupants physical, mental, and social wellbeing.

“I fear that, as we head into winter and temperatures drop that there will be a record number of excess winter deaths. Those living in ‘poor quality’ homes will simply not be able to keep their homes properly ventilated, warm and dry.

“The cost of living and cost of fuel crises will only exacerbate this dire situation. Whilst increasing the number of energy efficient homes in the UK is extremely welcome, it is only part of the solution and a more holistic and joined up approach must be adopted if we are going to ensure that existing and new homes are built to a “healthy” standard which do not cause or exacerbate poor health, wellbeing – or worse.

“The cost of doing nothing, as the cost-of-living rises and as temperatures drop, is simply far too great.”