Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has pledged to end the scandal of one in four social homes going to foreigners, with a new plan to strip non-EU foreign nationals of their social housing tenancies. The proposal, announced today, would see properties transferred to families at the top of waiting lists as tenancies are revoked, with affected individuals given six months to vacate.
Plan details and criticism
The Tories aim to make foreign nationals ineligible for social housing, a move that has been labelled "divisive" by housing charity Shelter. Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately defended the policy, stating: "Nearly a quarter of a million social homes in England – subsidised by British taxpayers – are being rented out to foreign nationals." She added: "Britain cannot be a cash machine for the world."
Under the plans, any single person in social housing who is not a UK, Irish, or EU citizen would lose their home, including those with children. Those with EU settled status would be exempt, as would future tenancies for UK nationals and those with settled status. However, new EU citizens without settled status would not be eligible.
Reactions from nursing and political spheres
The Royal College of Nursing criticised the proposals, warning of the impact on healthcare staff. A spokesperson said: "The worst thing in the world would be to cause serious housing worry for a workforce that keeps our services running, posing serious risk to patient care." They demanded reassurances or an explanation for why nursing staff might face housing insecurity.
Sarah Elliott, chief executive of Shelter, condemned the plan, saying: "These divisive plans would brutally kick people out of their homes."
Political context and by-election
In a related development, Badenoch has vowed to "put forward a serious candidate" in Clacton if a standards investigation triggers a second by-election. Voters in Clacton go to the polls on August 13, after Nigel Farage stood down to trigger a by-election, with Reform UK's leader standing for re-election. The main parties have dismissed the poll as a stunt, but a second by-election could occur if an inquiry finds Farage breached donation rules.
