Improvements made under the Decent Homes Programme have reduced costs to the National Health Service in treating housing-related injuries and illnesses by millions, according to a study by BRE Trust.

The programme, which provided funding for the upgrading of social housing stock across the UK, was introduced by the Department for Communities & Local Government in 2001 to improve social housing.

The study estimates total savings to the NHS during the 10-year period to be approximately £392 million. The benefits of dealing with the most serious hazards, as categorised in the Housing Health & Safety Rating System, represent the bulk of the savings to the NHS with treatment costs totalling £224 million.

Additionally, the annual savings to the NHS going forward if the stock is maintained at a decent level are estimated at £71 million per year.