- Tory plan to ban foreign nationals from social housing has been condemned as 'divisive'.
- Under the plans, tenants who do not qualify for the housing would be expected to move out within six months.
- Foreign nationals with settled status, refugee status, or specific humanitarian protections currently qualify for social housing, while asylum seekers are not eligible except in exceptional circumstances such as domestic abuse cases.
- The Royal College of Nursing warned that the plans could cause serious housing worry for nursing staff, posing serious risk to patient care.
- Helen Whately, the Conservative shadow work and pensions secretary, stated that the next Conservative government will make foreign nationals ineligible for social housing, freeing up nearly 230,000 homes for British families.
- Under the plans, any single person currently living in social housing who is not a UK, Irish, or EU citizen would lose their social housing, including those with children.
- In 2024/25, 88.5% of main householders were UK or Irish nationals and 11.5% were non-UK/Irish nationals, according to the English Survey.
The Conservative Party's recent proposal to ban foreign nationals from social housing has sparked widespread condemnation, being labeled as 'divisive' and unworkable.134
Under the plan, approximately 230,000 homes could be made available for British families by ending new tenancies for foreign nationals, including those without UK, Irish, or EU citizenship.67
Critics, including Labour and housing charity Shelter, argue that this policy would lead to the eviction of thousands of families and increase homelessness. Sarah Elliott, chief executive of Shelter, stated, “These divisive plans would brutally kick people out of their homes, including thousands of families and pensioners who have lived in them for decades.”
The Royal College of Nursing also raised alarms, warning that housing insecurity could jeopardize patient care, emphasizing the need for reassurances for healthcare staff.5
Helen Whately, the Conservative shadow work and pensions secretary, defended the proposal, asserting that “Making Britain your home should be earned by working, paying tax and integrating.”
In 2024/25, 88.5% of main householders in social housing were UK or Irish nationals, while 11.5% were non-UK/Irish nationals, according to the English Survey. There are an estimated 470,000 non-UK and non-Irish citizens living in social housing, raising concerns about the impact of the proposed changes on this demographic.8
“The plan would require tenants who don't qualify to move out within six months, affecting an estimated 470,000 non-UK and non-Irish citizens. Helen Whately argues it could free up nearly 230,000 homes for British families, while the nursing union calls for reassurances.”
The Guardian
