A social housing bill named in tribute to Rochdale toddler Awaab Ishak has finally received the Royal Assent to become law.
‘Awaab’s Law’ will help to drive forward “significant change” in holding poor landlords to account, according to the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and ultimately place the needs of tenants at the heart of the UK Government’s reforms to “improve the quality of life” of those living in social housing across the country.
It has been hailed as “life-changing” and a “landmark” moment in history.
The new social housing bill has been named after Greater Manchester toddler Awaab Ishak – who tragically died as a result of prolonged exposure to mould in his Rochdale home, a coroner ruled last year.
The landmark law will strengthen the Regulator of Social Housing to carry out regular inspections of the largest social housing providers, and give them the power to issue unlimited fines to “rogue social landlords”, according to the Government, as well as grant the Housing Ombudsman additional powers to publish “best practice guidance” to landlords following investigations into complaints made my social housing tenants.
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Our landmark #SocialHousing Regulation Act receives Royal Assent to become law today.
We are improving the quality of social homes across England and clamping down on rogue landlords through new enforcement powers.
— Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Gov (@mhclg) July 20, 2023
It also brings about powers to set strict time limits for social landlords to address relevant hazards, such as damp and mould, as well as introduce new qualification requirements for social housing managers.
Not only that, but Awaab’s Law will also, crucially, see new enforcement powers made available in an attempt to best tackle “failing” social housing landlords who are not “pulling their weight”, and will take “swift action” to address damp, cold, and unsafe homes right across the UK.
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“This is an important step towards righting the wrongs of the past,” admitted Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, Michael Gove, as the bill received Royal Assent yesterday.
“Our landmark laws will drive up standards of social housing and give residents a proper voice.
Mould in Awaab Ishak’s family home in Rochdale / Credit: GMP
“The Social Housing Act will help to ensure that tenants get the safe, warm and decent homes they deserve, and those who have seriously neglected their responsibilities for far too long will face the consequences.”
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Mr Gove also added that Awaab’s Law will “force social landlords to take immediate action” on dangerous damp and mould with the introduction of the strict new 48-hour time limits to fix homes.
“I am incredibly grateful to Awaab’s family who have displayed such courage, dignity and leadership in pushing for change and securing these vital reforms,” Mr Gove concluded.
Featured Image – GMP / Family Handout
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Manchester’s firework displays are ‘back with a bang’ as they return from 2026
Emily Sergeant
Council-organised firework displays in Manchester’s parks are set to return from next year, it has been confirmed.
You may remember that these once-popular events have not been held since 2019, as the COVID-19 pandemic initially prevented them from taking place from 2020 onwards, and then following that, they remained paused on a trial basis while the Manchester City Council sought to ‘reprioritise funding’ to support a wider range of free community events across the city.
But now, as it seems, the door was never shut on their potential return.
An ‘improved financial position’ now means that the Council is in a position to bring firework events back, while also still continuing to support other community events.
Papers setting out the Council’s financial position show that fairer funding being introduced by the Government next year will leave the Council better off than previously anticipated, he the reason firework displays have been brought back into the mix.
The Council has admitted that ‘pressures remain’ after so many years of financial cuts, but this new funding creates the opportunity to invest in the things residents have said matter the most to them.
“Manchester prides itself on free community events and we know many people have missed Bonfire night firework spectaculars,” commented Cllr Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council.
“That’s why we are pleased to confirm they’ll be back by popular demand in 2026.
“We know that generations of Mancunians have enjoyed Council-organised displays and that free family events are a great way to bring people together… [and] now that this Government is actually investing in Councils like ours rather than the cuts we had since 2010, we can bring back Bonfire events.”
Cllr Craig said that the return of Council-organised firework displays is ‘building up for a spectacular 2026.’
More information on their return is set to be announced in due course.
Featured Image – Chris Curry (via Unsplash)
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Super League ‘Rivals Round’ fixtures confirmed, with two big North West clashes
Danny Jones
The Betfred Super League (BSL) ‘Rivals Round’ games for 2026 have been confirmed, with two big regional clashes coming in time for the spring.
Returning for 2026, the annual meeting of multiple teams coming up against their fiercest and most historic rivals will land on round seven of the calendar over the traditional Easter weekend.
Despite the competition having sadly lost Salford Red Devils following their forced relegation, local rugby fans will still be glad to see the borough of Wigan, as well as neighbouring Cheshire and nearby Merseyside clubs, coming up against each other in what is a highly anticipated fixture on the calendar.
Announcing the now fully confirmed matches this week, the total of seven matches are set to be played between Friday, 3 April and the following Sunday, 5 April.
In the Super League’s own words, there are few gameweeks more box office than the Rivals Round – “where the games mean more, hit harder and have the ability to divide towns and families.”
After the inaugural edition of the modern round in 2021, this year saw the division record a best-ever attendance of 86,080 across a six-match period, and with an extra game being played next season, we’re expecting more ground to be broken.
“The most intense and historic rivalries will go head-to-head with huge crowds anticipated, emotions running high and everyone expected to bring their A game”, say the BSL.
Huddersfield Giants v York Knights – Saturday, 4 April
Castleford Tigers v Wakefield Trinity – Sunday, 5 April
One of the most notable exclusions among the slate, of course, is that of Salford Red Devils, as various players and staff members continue to leave the club during this increasingly concerning and deep period of uncertainty.
Salford supporters have given a clear response following the decisive drop in IMG gradings:
Although they are now longer in rugby league’s premier domestic tier, Salford are still expected to take part in the Challenge Cup tournament, which begins in January.
Betfred and the RFL revealed the most recent ties on Monday, 24 November, with the Devils due to face either Royal Navy Rugby or Hammersmith Hills Hoists in the second round.
Meanwhile, with the new campaign kicking off in February, rugby fans will only have to wait a couple of months to witness the upcoming instalments in the various rivalries.
Safe to say it’s going to be a spicy Easter break.
Emily Sergeant -
21st July 2023 
