They’re living in the worst conditions imaginable and have no way out. And it’s the British state that’s keeping them there. ITV News Investigations Editor Daniel Hewitt exposes the UK’s dirty secret and confronts the people responsible. But how are people trapped all over Britain? Why can't they get out? And what's being done to change it? Daniel embarks on a four-year-long investigation to find out, only to discover some truly shocking answers. So come see the country that you really live in...
Head to www.thetrapped.co.uk to hear the full series and see the visuals that support each episode.
If you are in bad housing or your living situation is under threat you’ll also find a full list of people to contact to get help here: https://thetrapped.co.uk/are-you-trapped.html
The Trapped is an ITV News podcast.
Presenters: Daniel Hewitt, alongside Imogen Barrer
Writers: Daniel Hewitt and David Williams
Archiving: Alpha Ceesay and Lauren Aarons
Audio production and sound design: Meic Parry and Jack Soper
This outstanding podcast is both heartbreaking and infuriating, I can’t believe that hard working people are having to live like this with so little compassion and so much indifference. Please listen it is so important we understand what is happening.
2025-02-13
The Trapped
Shameful behaviour from housing associations, councils and governments. Allowing people to endure inhumane conditions for months, years is unforgivable. This podcast brings to light the failings of many who just don’t care. A tragedy for many who have to suffer at the hands of these people.
2025-01-13
Amazing journalism!
One of the most anger and gut wrenching stories coming out of one of the richest country’s in the world. Absolutely amazing journalism
2025-01-12
Gripping and Harrowing
Important insight into the plight of individuals and families that live among us as neighbours, co-workers and those we interact with. The rapacious benefactors of the UKs broken housing system and the cloak of respectability afforded them by councils and government is a stain on the country. These sorts of revelations could be show cased in colleges as examples of where bad governance leads us.
2025-01-08
Trapped - must listen
What an incredibly powerful piece of investigative journalism. Daniel and team reshaped UK understanding poor quality social housing stock and the impact it’s having on those trapped. Thank you for caring so much.
2024-12-12
The Trapped
This journalist Dan Hewitt has been bringing awareness to Britain’s housing CRISIS for years. Incredibly well made but a heart-wrenching listen. Well done Dan Hewitt
2024-12-06
Must listen
I was in tears shortly into the first episode & have finished feeling furious but much better informed, not to mention galvanised - it’s an extraordinary series
Highly recommend
2024-12-05
Brilliant
I’m a 40 year old man seething with anger at moments then crying the next. Absolutely disgusting state of affairs. Even more disgusting is the representation lying to your face and the tone of conversation. These people from the top down should be made to live in these places. Let’s see how quick it would change. What a joke!!!!!!
2024-12-04
Important journalism powerfully told.
Engaging and enraging. Can’t recommend highly enough.
2024-12-03
Journalism at its finest
Phenomenal listen, highly recommend
2024-12-03
Devastating
Thank you for making this podcast. It has been both moving and emotionally devastating to hear how our social housing system is failing those who need support. The programme has been so carefully considered and hits hard. Thank you.
2024-12-02
Incredible journalism
And brave people sharing their stories. A must listen.
2024-11-30
Totally gripping
Totally gripped by this excellent series. Almost feels a bit like a “who done it” in parts, that’s how thrilling the storytelling is.
2024-11-29
Eye-Opening & Heartbreaking
The Trapped provides unparalleled insight into the UK housing crisis.
No report to date has covered so many facets of this issue in such devastating detail.
Superb journalism against a backdrop of harrowing stories of human suffering.
2024-11-29
Uncomfortable listening
I am appalled by these revelations. In fact, as I write, I find there are just no words.
2024-11-27
A Must Listen
A harrowing but vital story to be told. Investigated and presented with empathy without protecting the listener from the harsh reality. Dan has a story telling ability rarely seen and puts you in the shoes of the persons involved whilst providing an equally objective eye.
2024-11-27
A must listen
This is such an important podcast. Exposing appalling truths about social housing in modern Britain and giving a voice to those affected. Thoroughly enjoyable.
2024-11-26
Essential listening
Many people in Britain have opinions about fellow citizens and their circumstances. This report will give everyone an extraordinary and sensitive insight into the appalling living conditions of so many renters, despite their desperate efforts to improve them. As Daniel Hewitt says, it’s not a story about housing, it’s a story about power.
2024-11-25
An arresting series, chronicling a remarkable investigation
Having worked with Daniel, I have been familiar with his work over recent years, exposing the frankly shameful housing that tenants in Britain are given no choice but to put up with. This podcast series revisits some of his most harrowing interviewees, with fresh commentary that adds context: both on how their stories came to be told by the ITV News team, and what (if anything) has happened since.
The audio format is somehow even more arresting than the original television pieces – more personal, with more scope for detail and back-stories – though it is worth looking at the dedicated website to see images revealing the full horror of the sodden, damp-ridden, mould-infested homes.
It is rare I recommend a podcast, but I simply couldn’t stop listening: even to the point of having it on while I was driving a relative… when I dropped her off, she asked for the name of the series, so she could find it and catch up with the other episodes! Congratulations to those involved on an excellent series.
2024-11-24
Gripping and shocking
From the first episode to the last, this is heartbreaking and meticulously unpicks one of the worst problems facing British society today. Beautifully written, it details the human cost of a failed system.
2024-11-23
Every podcast should be this good
This is different class. So many podcasts start promisingly or shockingly and then bottom out but this just keeps getting more engrossing and unbelievable. An absolute must listen.
2024-11-22
You simply must listen to this podcast
From start to finish the podcast never fails to shock. It is so compelling and I couldn’t stop listening. This needs to be heard by everyone in Britain!
2024-11-21
Superb work
Incredible journalism. A real insight into one of Britains most shocking scandals.
2024-11-20
A must-listen!
Unbelievable to hear the conditions that people in this first world country are living in.
Powerfully presented by Daniel, asking the right questions.
2024-11-20
The country needs to listen to this.
I knew the housing situation in this country was bad but I had no idea to what extent. This is what deregulation does.
I can’t stop thinking about it.
This should be prime time tv viewing.
Excellent work by Daniel Hewitt with Imogen Barrer.
2024-11-20
Powerful and moving show
This should be a compulsory listen for every MP and councillor in the country. The horror in the reporter’s voice is palpable at times. I hope it is the start of change and the focus of MPs moves towards helping people in unstable accommodation.
2024-11-20
Must listen
This podcast really is a must listen, it is extremely hard to comprehend how this is happening in ‘GREAT’ Britain.
Daniel tells their stories with empathy and gives them their much needed voice. He asks the right questions and really doesn’t let people dismiss their responsibility. It’s heartbreaking that it takes this level of investigation for peoples voices to be heard, everyone deserves to be and feel safe at home and it’s shocking to think how many people still do not.
2024-11-20
Cuts to the core
Uncomfortable, raw and a reality of Britain lived by too many and seen by too few. Dan is a master of conversationally cutting to the core. Despite the polish of this production, you won’t enjoy this series - but great listens are made to challenge. This is superb.
2024-11-20
Urgent Listening to Understand Broken Britain
It is engaging, moving, thoughtful and explanatory but accessible. The perfect balance between testimony and policy. There are sure to be tears at parts but there are some heart warming moments in there too.
It should be compulsory listening for anyone trying to understand what is wrong with the country and what is required to put it right.
2024-11-19
Can’t believe what I’m hearing!!
One word: Wow. Everyone needs to hear this podcast. I cannot believe the government and those housing bosses treat people like that!! Thank God the Tories are out now. Well done Daniel and Imogen for exposing this. It’s a crime that this is going on and people are still trapped now. They need to be freed!! Sort it out Labour!
