Coming a close second to the daft idea of Britishness - is the idea to turf all non- British people out of all social housing.

The data clearly shows that proportion of new social housing lettings in London are allocated to British citizens is 81.6%.

AI Overview:

Approximately 81.6% of lead tenants in new social housing lettings in London were UK nationals for the financial year 2024/25.

New Lettings 2024/25 Data collected via the Continuous Recording of Lettings in Social Housing (CORE) shows that 81.6% of lead tenants in newly let London social housing were UK nationals.

Total Stock / Census Snapshot According to the 2021 Census and Regulator of Social Housing data, 47.6% of household reference persons (lead tenants) living in existing London social homes were born outside the UK. Of that foreign-born group 68% are UK nationals holding a UK passport, meaning that a significant portion of foreign-born social housing heads of household have naturalised or hold British citizenship.

It appears that historically the numbers were higher for non UK nationals to obtain social care housing in London compared to more recent 2024/25 data that shows 81.6% of newly allocated social housing were to UK nationals.

As Casdon suggested that may be as a result of people coming from abroad since the 50s and 60s to help staff the NHS and London Transport etc and have been tenants for many years.

Maremia

Harping back to another Thread, if the criteria for Britishness was changed, would Badenoch no longer be British? Something to do with birth tourism?
Would Prince Charles have to give up his palaces, as his father was born in Greece?

I’ve never understood why many of the politicians that are anti immigration are second generation immigrants .

Why do people not think through what the reasons might be? 32% of NHS staff in London are from overseas. The NHS has between 250 270,000 staff in London. It still has the highest vacancy rate in the UK. Key workers are prioritised for social housing, and London operates a number of specific schemes to accommodate key workers, who could otherwise not afford to live and work there.

nanna8

Of course British citizens should take priority. Can’t believe they don’t. Is that really true ? Madness

nanna8 - you have no idea. Madness doesn't even scratch the surface.

Some people think that 32% of London social housing being occupied by non-British citizens is acceptable. That is one third of our London social housing! So how long before it becomes two thirds, and will people start to feel a little concerned at that point, or will it have to reach 75%? Don't forget, if you complain at any one of these figures you are called racist.

The core problem is that millions of former council properties have been sold off since 1980. Now largely managed by housing associations, they are still being sold (and all too often to people laundering money).

Over 40% of the houses sold since 1980 are now owned by private landlords who charge three of four times social rent. In some parts of the country over 70% of former social housing is now in the hands of private landlords.

As I understand it, under this new Tory policy, anyone who does not have EU settled status, irrespective of how long they have legally lived, worked and paid taxes in the UK could be evicted. That will include workers from non-EU countries who have come to the UK at the request of the UK government to work in our public services.

It’s a shocking, racist policy straight out of the Reform playbook. No wonder the Tory website is now decorated with a lot of turquoise.

www.conservatives.com/our-plan-for-britain

What government needs is a national plan to bringing back into use the one million homes, in England alone, that are sitting long term empty.

www.actiononemptyhomes.org/

Silvershadow

Does nobody care that British families can’t get social housing, subsidised by the taxpayer, because it goes to migrant families? Why should somebody get it who has just arrived in the country compared to those born here? Somebody explain. Over 50% of social housing in London is occupied by migrants. 50% that cannot be allocated to young British families.

The comments on this thread are the usual. But in the real world there is anger about this all across the country.

Remember it’s all subsidised by taxpayers. I don’t want to subsidise them myself.

The housing shortage is real, but your conclusion doesn't follow from the statistic. Most people counted as "migrants" in London social housing aren't people who "just arrived", many have lived here for years or are now British citizens.

The "over 50%" figure usually refers to the foreign-born share of households in London's social housing, not "new arrivals." Those are very different claims, and conflating them can give a misleading impression. Recent migrants often aren't even eligible for social housing.

I understand people's frustration but the core problem is that the UK hasn't built enough affordable and social homes for decades, leaving everyone competing for too few properties. Any argument needs to be based on facts and these facts are the fault of a decade of goverments mainly posturing rather solving problems. Those parties are now simply appealing to peoples prejuduces not offering real solutions.

nanna8

Of course British citizens should take priority. Can’t believe they don’t. Is that really true ? Madness

I think that you are misunderstanding.

British citizens and people of settled status are prioritised.

Have a look at my post above.

Of course British citizens should take priority. Can’t believe they don’t. Is that really true ? Madness

Thanks for the detail WWM2.

Sundowngirl your question: 'And you are happy with 32% non-British occupancy, I'm certainly not. It's not being racist (before someone brings out that card) I just believe that our own citizens should take priority"

In light of WWM2's information sundowngirl what do you mean by "our own citizens" and what are your reasons for our own citizens taking priority? What are your reasons for other citizens being deprioritised or made not eligible for social housing?

There is a lot of misinformation regarding people who have immigrated to the U.K., and perhaps some facts would not go amiss.

Regarding asylum seekers - both legal and illegal - none are entitled to social housing.

Regarding people who have immigrated to the U.K., who may or may not hold a British passport.

“ most immigrants are not entitled to social housing in the UK. Eligibility is strictly limited. Migrants on temporary work or study visas have "no recourse to public funds" (NRPF), meaning they cannot access council housing. Asylum seekers are also legally barred from mainstream social housing”

Who May Qualify

Foreign nationals can only apply if they have settled status, refugee status, or specific humanitarian protections.

Settled Status / Indefinite Leave:

People with full settled status or no restrictions on public funds.

Refugees and Specific Schemes:

Recognized refugees and those under specific government humanitarian routes (such as from Ukraine or Afghanistan).

Local Rules:

Even if legally eligible based on immigration status, applicants must still meet local council criteria, such as local connection rules and demonstrable housing need.

The majority of immigrants who were born in a foreign country, and live in social housing now hold a British passport.

The 50% number is I am afraid misleading - 48% of lead tenants living in social housing were born in a foreign country. Of them 64% hold a British passport.

sundowngirl

valdali

Silvershadow only 32% of London social housing is occupied by non-British citizens.

How your sources stretched 32% to over hald, I don't know.

Still a huge number!

And you are happy with 32% non-British occupancy, I'm certainly not. It's not being racist (before someone brings out that card) I just believe that our own citizens should take priority

Why do you think that if it's not racist? And I am not playing cards - just discussing a point.

valdali

Silvershadow only 32% of London social housing is occupied by non-British citizens.

How your sources stretched 32% to over hald, I don't know.

Still a huge number!

And you are happy with 32% non-British occupancy, I'm certainly not. It's not being racist (before someone brings out that card) I just believe that our own citizens should take priority

news.sky.com/video/would-tory-ban-on-foreign-nationals-taking-social-housing-fix-the-shortage-13570776
I suggest you watch this analysis Silvershadow, in a couple of minutes it covers the salient points, and dispels the myths.

half

Silvershadow only 32% of London social housing is occupied by non-British citizens.

How your sources stretched 32% to over hald, I don't know.

Silvershadow

Does nobody care that British families can’t get social housing, subsidised by the taxpayer, because it goes to migrant families? Why should somebody get it who has just arrived in the country compared to those born here? Somebody explain. Over 50% of social housing in London is occupied by migrants. 50% that cannot be allocated to young British families.

The comments on this thread are the usual. But in the real world there is anger about this all across the country.

Remember it’s all subsidised by taxpayers. I don’t want to subsidise them myself.

You do understand that many migrants are tax payers?

Silvershadow

Does nobody care that British families can’t get social housing, subsidised by the taxpayer, because it goes to migrant families? Why should somebody get it who has just arrived in the country compared to those born here? Somebody explain. Over 50% of social housing in London is occupied by migrants. 50% that cannot be allocated to young British families.

The comments on this thread are the usual. But in the real world there is anger about this all across the country.

Remember it’s all subsidised by taxpayers. I don’t want to subsidise them myself.

I don't know why place of birth is so important to some. There's nothing any of us can do about that. Maybe the right to social housing should be linked to participation in society, for those capable of doing so - whether that's by paying tax, having a job, taking a role in the community (such as a counsellor/school governor or similar), or whatever. I would much rather 'subsidise' someone who participates in society, regardless of where they were born, than someone who just has a sense of entitlement and a belief that someone else will pick up the tab.

Also, social housing is not subsidised when tenants pay full rent. As with private rentals, there are subsidies for those whose employers pay wages too low to cover the rent, and for those whose landlords charge more than people can afford to pay. I agree that those things are wrong, but they are not the fault of tenants. Taxpayers are subsidising stingy employers and greedy landlords - that needs to stop, IMO.

Harping back to another Thread, if the criteria for Britishness was changed, would Badenoch no longer be British? Something to do with birth tourism?
Would Prince Charles have to give up his palaces, as his father was born in Greece?

The statutory duty for councils to house is available online.

Housing criteria councils use to determine level of need also available on line.

The Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics available on line- Race is one of them.

If someone has the legal right to reside in the UK on what basis should they be treated any differently to anyone else as a result of their skin colour, nationality or ethnicity?

The problem is there is insufficient council housing available to meet demand- demand of all nationalities. Another thread maybe?

Does nobody care that British families can’t get social housing, subsidised by the taxpayer, because it goes to migrant families? Why should somebody get it who has just arrived in the country compared to those born here? Somebody explain. Over 50% of social housing in London is occupied by migrants. 50% that cannot be allocated to young British families.

The comments on this thread are the usual. But in the real world there is anger about this all across the country.

Remember it’s all subsidised by taxpayers. I don’t want to subsidise them myself.

Whitewavemark2

I believe that Farage has the same plan, but of course intends to carry it out within 3 months instead of 6.

Even more of an immediate existential housing crisis for local Councils!

Whitewavemark2

Then of course there is the small matter of councils using our taxes to try to resolve what would become an existential crises.

This! Not thought through and unworkable.

The Conservative government knew the Rwanda proposal was most likely unworkable- would come up against so many obstacles, would result in court cases, would cost so much money and probably wouldn't get off the ground. It didn't. Neither will this.

Some major problems for those who have a legal right to reside in Britain but do not meet Badenoch's proposed criteria:

1) If those already in council properties are evicted at 6 months- the council has a statutory duty to house them. Where!
2) those evicted have legal rights as existing tenants with an contract - breach of housing law.
3) The government will be guilty of unlawful discrimination by treating those that do not meet Bednoch's proposed criteria less favourably because of a personal trait and protected characteristic. Under the Equality Act 2010 the law bans this specific type of unfair treatment.
4) This would be both Direct discrimination that is treating a person worse than others because of a protected characteristic
5) Plus Indirect discrimination that is using a rule or policy that applies to everyone but puts people with a protected characteristic at a disadvantage.

The protected characteristic most likely used= Race, that includes, skin colour, nationality and ethnic origin.

Those evicted and those refused placement on a council housing waiting list could and most likely would take legal action the government for breaching the Equality Act 2010. As the law stands- slam dunk case.

I hardly want to even think there’s a hope in hell of his ever forming a government but if he did, we do still have courts in this country. Oh wait a minute - the next bright idea? I don’t mean abolish the courts ( yet) but only British citizens allowed access.

I believe that Farage has the same plan, but of course intends to carry it out within 3 months instead of 6.