Labour has criticised a Conservative pledge to remove foreign nationals from social housing, saying it would mainly affect refugees and long-term residents, including many NHS staff. The Tories have proposed revoking social housing tenancies for those who are not UK, Irish, or EU citizens if they return to government, aiming to 'free homes up for British families'.
Policy details
According to the party's estimates, almost 230,000 households would lose eligibility for social housing under the plan. Those affected would have six months to find alternative accommodation before being forced out. Once implemented, EU and Irish citizens would also be barred from future social housing tenancies, with only UK citizens eligible.
The announcement follows a similar policy unveiled by Reform leader Nigel Farage less than two months ago. Under his proposal, foreign nationals in social housing would have three months to find private rented accommodation or face losing their right to remain and being deported.
Labour's response
A Labour spokesperson called the plan 'unserious' and 'unworkable', stating it 'does nothing to tackle the housing crisis the Tories themselves created'. They added: 'People without Indefinite Leave to Remain are already ineligible for social housing, so this policy would primarily affect refugees and long-term UK residents who have contributed to this country but are not British citizens, including NHS staff.'
The spokesperson warned the policy could leave more families at risk of homelessness and increase the use of temporary accommodation at taxpayers' expense.
Conservative defence
The Conservatives argue the policy would ensure welfare serves as a 'safety net for those who contribute, and not the default for those who arrive in Britain'. Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately said: 'Making Britain your home should be earned by working, paying tax and integrating. It should not come with a free ride on the benefits system. Britain cannot be a cash machine for the world.'
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to deliver the 'biggest council house building programme since the post-war period'. In January, Labour announced a ten-year building programme for social homes with £39 billion in funding, aiming to deliver around 300,000 social and affordable homes.
