Conservatives vow to bar foreign nationals from England's social housing

The Conservatives have outlined a plan to eliminate social-housing allocations for foreign nationals across England, promising to vacate current tenancies for couples where neither partner holds UK, Irish or EU citizenship. Single foreign nationals would also lose their homes, with a six-month deadline for relocation, while individuals with EU settled status would be spared. The party argues the policy would release an estimated 228,144 units for British households, a claim criticised by Labour as unworkable and by Shelter as a drastic displacement of long-term tenants.

Reform UK’s Nigel Farage previously suggested a three-month deadline and possible deportation, a stricter stance the Tories say they are adapting. Labour warns the measure would mainly affect refugees and long-resident non-citizens, increasing homelessness risk. Critics note that existing eligibility rules already limit access and that the housing crisis stems from insufficient construction rather than tenant nationality.