Reform UK Proposes Prioritizing British-Born Citizens for Social Housing

The political party Reform UK announced a social housing policy that prioritizes British-born citizens, employed workers, and young married couples with children over British citizens born abroad. Under the proposed system, foreign-born Britons would face longer wait times for social housing, although exemptions would be granted to those born to British parents who were temporarily overseas.

This proposal follows an earlier, more restrictive plan to ban foreign nationals from social housing entirely and require current residents to find private housing within three months or face deportation. Reform UK claims the new policy addresses a waiting list of 1.3 million people and aims to help young British workers start families. The party also pledged to construct 50,000 socially affordable homes every year without increasing borrowing or taxes.

The Labour Party and the charity Shelter criticized the plan. Opponents argue the policy targets long-term residents, including NHS staff, and ignores urgent housing needs. Shelter warned that the plans could increase homelessness and jeopardize the safety of individuals escaping domestic violence.