An investigation into the policy choices that led to the UK housing crisis.
What is the true cost of Britain’s housing emergency?
This is the shocking story of Britain’s appalling housing crisis as it has never been told before – through the people stuck in its grip, living in barely believable and totally unliveable conditions, including children brought up in hostels, bedsits and even shipping containers.
Delving into the investigative work that began in a council tower block in Croydon and ended in the Houses of Parliament with changes to the law, Left to Rot exposes who is heard and who is ignored, where money is spent, where it is cut and what it tells us about Britain today.
This book exposes the long-term damage of short-term political thinking at the heart of British government, and lays bare the human cost of the catastrophic and ultimately counterproductive policy of rolling back the state in crucial areas of public life that matter most to people.
Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: Groundhog Day
Chapter 2: Opening the floodgates
Chapter 3: Close to home
Chapter 4: When does it stop?
Chapter 5: History will judge us
Chapter 6: Too big to fail
Chapter 7: How to create a crisis
Chapter 8: Who cares?
Chapter 9: Speaking truth to power
Chapter 10: Why did a boy have to die?
Chapter 11: Get out
Chapter 12: The next crisis
Chapter 13: Home is where we start from
Epilogue
About the Author :
Daniel Hewitt is Investigations Editor for ITV News and has spent the last five years reporting from the frontline of Britain’s housing crisis.
His investigations on social housing have led to a change in the law, and he has twice given evidence to MPs in Parliament on his reporting. His work has directly led to six independent inquiries and investigations by the UK Parliament, the Welsh Government, the Regulator for Social Housing, the Housing Ombudsman for England, National Housing Federation and the Chartered Institute for Housing.
He was named Royal Television Society Specialist Journalist of the Year in 2022 and 2024 for his work on housing and homelessness. His work on hidden homelessness was also awarded the Royal Television Society award for best home news coverage in 2024, an award he earned again in 2025.. He has been nominated for the Orwell Prize four times for his reporting, and produced and presented the Radio Academy award-winning podcast The Trapped.
Daniel has presented four ITV documentaries on the subject, including the award-winning 'Surviving Squalor: Britain’s Housing Shame' and 'Life and Debt: Stories from the Edge'.
Previously he worked as a political correspondent, and has interviewed five Prime Ministers including Boris Johnson, Theresa May, and Sir Keir Starmer.
Review :
'Hewitt transforms a meticulous investigation into a compassionate narrative that is as enlightening as it is moving, weaving together the stark realities of systemic neglect with deeply human stories.' Robert Peston, journalist and author
'A humane exposé of slum conditions and political myopia that blight modern Britain, and now make headline news thanks to Dan Hewitt’s forensic reporting.' Anoosh Chakelian, New Statesman
'This is just utterly compelling and completely brilliant – from first page to last. If you only read one book this year, please make it Left to Rot. Not because it is important and timely and shocking and heart-breaking – though it is certainly all those things – but because it is a superbly written, heartfelt and riveting page-turner.' Tom Bradby, journalist and author
'This brutal analysis further cements Dan Hewitt’s reputation as a vital voice in the debate about housing.' Alastair Campbell, journalist, broadcaster and activist
'This book manages to be distressing, shocking and shaming, yet inspiring. It spares us nothing in its depiction of the miserable lives we’re leaving so many people to lead. But there’s hope in the human spirit in the stories so brilliantly told. What can we do? A lot, as it turns out. Caring enough to read this book is a good start.' Adrian Chiles, writer and broadcaster
'In two decades covering politics I have never come across a more impressive colleague than Dan Hewitt, whose relentless and ground-breaking journalism has uncovered scandal, forced policy change and delivered a gut punch at every turn. This devastating account of one of Britain’s worst public failures starts and ends with the humanity that Hewitt always places at the centre of his work; not just a report on the housing crisis but a compassionate narrative that makes you feel the human cost with every page. This book has given a voice to people who were simply never heard; it is essential reading – vital, unflinching and humane.' Anushka Asthana, journalist and author
'A powerful account of Dan Hewitt’s extraordinary investigation into a deep social injustice. He has shed light and humanity on the wilful political neglect that has caused untold misery to those that suffer our national housing crisis. His account makes the case for a complete rethink in how this nation houses its citizens and is vital reading for anyone interested in resolving our most acute social problems.' Matthew Downie, Crisis
'A brilliant, horrifying book. The controlled fury of Hewitt’s investigation means you won’t be able to put it down – and neither should you. This is exactly what journalism should be.' Isabel Hardman, author of Why We Get the Wrong Politicians
