Reform UK says it will prioritise British-born workers for social housing
Reform UK pledges to prioritise British-born workers under 35 for social housing and build 50,000 affordable homes a year without new taxes.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Reform UK proposes prioritizing British-born workers under 35 for social housing allocations.
- Deputy leader Richard Tice pledges to build 50,000 affordable homes annually without new taxes.
- The party estimates that foreign nationals currently occupy around 540,000 social homes.
- Labour and Conservative politicians have strongly criticized and challenged the proposed measures.
Reform UK announced on August 23, 2026, that it would prioritize British-born workers under the age of 35 when allocating social housing if the party enters government.
In addition to British-born workers, the policy will extend priority to former military personnel as well as married couples with children. The party stated that housing allocation rules would shift away from strict need toward suitability, placing British families and veterans at the front of the queue.
Deputy leader Richard Tice outlined plans at a news conference to construct 50,000 affordable social homes annually, maintaining that the policy would require no new taxes or borrowing. Funding would be secured by reintroducing the 1980s Right to Buy scheme, contributions from housing authorities, and local government pension funds.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
"This comes down to fairness."
According to the English Housing Survey for 2024/25, UK or Irish nationals accounted for 88.5% of main social home householders, leaving roughly 11.5% rented by non-UK or Irish nationals. Reform independently estimates that foreign nationals currently occupy 540,000 social housing properties.
Social housing allocation remains a contentious political battleground in the UK amid ongoing housing shortages and affordability crises. Proposals by populist parties to restrict access based on nationality often draw sharp dividing lines between prioritizing domestic taxpayers and protecting vulnerable immigrant populations who contribute to public services.
The Labour Party insisted that social housing is already tightly controlled, noting that illegal migrants, asylum seekers, and temporary visa holders are ineligible. Labour warned the Reform proposal would penalize long-term residents who contribute to the country, including NHS staff.
Meanwhile, the Conservative Party accused Reform of copying its existing policies, while Green MP Siân Berry condemned the strategy as a cruel attempt to foster a two-tier society.
Source: BBC Politics
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