Toddler’s mould death unacceptable says, Michael Gove

The death of toddler Awaab Iskak, who spent months living with mould in his home, is an “unacceptable tragedy” says Micheal Gove. 

Ishak died from a respiratory condition caused by exposure to the mould, a coroner has ruled. 

His father had repeatedly raised the issue with Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) but no action was taken.

The housing secretary Micheal Gove said it “beggars belief” that RBH’s chief executive was still in his job. 

The coroner also criticised RBH for not being “proactive” saying “How in the UK in 2020 does a two-year-old child die as a result of exposure to mould?”

The tot died in December 2020 following a cardiac arrest after living in the mould-ridden flat in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.

Mr Gove said local authorities and housing associations could not blame a lack of government funding for the child’s death.