The UK Conservative Party has announced plans to stop most foreign nationals from accessing social housing in England if it wins the next general election.
The party says the move would free up about 228,144 homes for British families and reduce pressure on housing waiting lists triggering debate across the UK, with the Conservatives saying it will put British families first, while Labour and housing groups argue it could increase homelessness.
According to a BBC report published on Friday, the policy would affect two groups, the first group includes foreign nationals applying for new social housing homes. The second covers couples currently living in social homes where neither partner holds UK, Irish or eligible EU citizenship.
The Conservatives said affected households would have six months to leave their homes. A single tenant who is not a UK, Irish or eligible EU citizen would lose access to social housing, even if they have children.
The rule would also apply to couples if neither partner is a UK or EU citizen and neither has EU settled status. However, people with EU settled status would not lose their homes.
For future applications, only UK nationals and people with EU settled status would qualify for social housing. New EU citizens without settled status would not be eligible.
The BBC reported that foreign nationals with settled status, refugee status or humanitarian protection currently qualify for social housing. Asylum seekers generally do not qualify, except in special cases such as domestic abuse.
The Conservatives accused Labour of losing control of immigration. The party said British families have been left waiting for homes because of government policies.
Opposition Parties Reject Proposal
Labour rejected the plan and described it as unworkable. The party also accused the Conservatives of copying an earlier Reform UK policy.
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said the proposal would affect refugees and people who have lived in the UK for many years. She warned that the plan could increase homelessness instead of solving the housing crisis.
Housing charity Shelter also criticised the proposal. Its Chief Executive, Sarah Elliott, said access to social housing is already strictly controlled. She added that people do not receive social housing automatically when they arrive in Britain.
Elliott said the policy could remove thousands of families and pensioners from homes where they have lived for decades.
The proposal follows an earlier pledge by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. In June, Farage suggested giving foreign tenants three months to find private housing or face deportation if his party wins power.
Reform UK’s home affairs spokesperson, Zia Yusuf, welcomed the Conservatives’ announcement but said it did not go far enough because it excluded EU settled status holders.
The BBC reported that 1.34 million households were on England’s social housing waiting lists as of March 2025. Government figures showed that UK nationals received about 89 per cent of new social housing lettings between 2024 and 2025. Refugees received 2.3 per cent, with Afghan and Ukrainian nationals forming the largest groups.
The Conservative social housing ban has become a major issue ahead of the next UK election. The policy continues to fuel debate over immigration, housing and welfare support.
