DaisyAnne @ 12.13, yes it is sad but it’s true that it would produce a far better solution if the old, damp, poorly insulated houses were demolished and rebuilt to today’s standards but it’s just not feasible is it? Whole areas razed to the ground as with the slum clearance schemes and where would everyone go? I imagine the vast majority of substandard homes are privately owned (albeit doubtless many by landlords). If these homes were to be compulsorily purchased, demolished and rebuilt, maybe many for affordable housing, the cost would be enormous and out of all proportion to the problem that needs to be fixed. Others will of course disagree and think it’s easily and quickly done and it’s cost efficient. I’ve dealt with a few compulsory purchase orders in my time and they take ages. Years. Now someone who’s never been involved in a CPO will say it doesn’t have to take that long but the fact is that it does. You’re dealing with people’s property and just the legalities, before a spade goes into the ground, take for ever (objections, public inquiries) and cost huge sums.