In doing so, we urge the government to now follow through on its promise to raise legal minimum standards, reduce health inequalities and improve countless lives.

Everyone deserves a decent, secure, warm, affordable home.

However, we know that poor housing standards, particularly in the private rented sector (PRS), play a crucial role in driving some of the worst outcomes in our country.

This is especially true in Blackpool, where areas of failed private rented housing create the conditions for the lowest life expectancy in England.

As Professor Chris Whitty, the Chief Medical Officer, said last year in his annual report to Government, the situation in much of the Private Rented Sector is totally unacceptable, and we need to take urgent action to raise the legal minimum standards for private rented housing to help create far healthier living environments and communities.

In the Fairer Private Rented Sector White Paper of March 2022, the government itself stated:

This appalling situation must end, and the government must now legislate to apply the Decent Homes Standard to the Private Rented Sector.

We are clear that the current measure of suitability in the private rented sector (the Housing Health and Safety Rating System) is not sufficient to ensure that people renting privately have homes that are fit for purpose.

Introducing a Decent Homes Standard for the Private Rented Sector will create parity with the social housing sector, improve the quality of people’s homes, and ultimately improve the life chances of some of the poorest in society.

We welcome the Prime Minister’s positive commitment to end no-fault evictions, but urge the government to adopt and move forward swiftly with other measures including additional enforcement powers for local authorities and the introduction of a PRS Ombudsman.

Everyone should be entitled to a decent home in the 21st century. These reforms are long overdue and it is now time for the government to act.