1 week ago
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Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch (Image: Getty)
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has vowed to end the scandal of one in four social homes, such as council houses, going to foreigners.
But her plan to stop foreign nationals claiming social housing has been attacked as "divisive".
Tories have today announced radical plans to end social housing tenancies for non-EU foreign nationals. As tenancies are revoked and properties become available, the homes would pass straight to the families at the top of the waiting list. Those being removed for social rented tenancies would have 6 months to do so.
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately said: "Nearly a quarter of a million social homes in England – subsidised by British taxpayers – are being rented out to foreign nationals."
And she insisted: "Britain cannot be a cash machine for the world."
But the plan has predictably come under fire, with Sarah Elliott, chief executive of housing charity shelter, saying: “These divisive plans would brutally kick people out of their homes."
4 mins ago07:16 Jonathan Walker
Investigating officer ‘appalled’ Pc Harper’s killers could be released early
The police detective who led the investigation into the death of Pc Andrew Harper said he is “appalled” two men convicted of his manslaughter could be eligible for early release.
Pc Harper sustained fatal injuries after getting caught in a strap attached to the back of a car and being dragged down a country road as the killers fled the scene of a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, in 2019.
Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers could be freed halfway through their 13-year sentences under Government plans for early releases designed to tackle overcrowding in jails.
Detective Superintendent Stuart Blaik told the BBC he was “deeply concerned and appalled” by the prospect and that Cole and Bowers should “not be afforded the opportunity” of early release.
8 mins ago07:12 Jonathan Walker
Royal College of Nursing criticises Tory housing plan
The Royal College of Nursing has criticised the proposals.
A spokesperson said: “The worst thing in the world would be to cause serious housing worry for a workforce that keeps our services running, posing serious risk to patient care.
“Those advocating for them need to offer reassurances – and quickly – or explain why it is just that some of our most brilliant nursing staff may face housing insecurity.”
9 mins ago07:11 Jonathan Walker
No more 'free ride' say Tories
The Tory shadow work and pensions secretary, Helen Whately, said: “Making Britain your home should be earned by working, paying tax and integrating.
“It should not come with a free ride on the benefits system. Britain cannot be a cash machine for the world.
“Labour has lost control of immigration and lost control of the welfare bill, and it is British families picking up the bill and sitting on waiting lists.
“The next Conservative government will make foreign nationals ineligible for social housing. Nearly 230,000 homes could go to British families.”
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately (Image: Getty)
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13 mins ago07:07 Jonathan Walker
What is the Tory housing plan?
Under the plans, any single person currently living in social housing who is not a UK, Irish or EU citizen would lose their social home. This includes those with or without children.
Anyone with EU settled status would not be evicted.
For future tenancies, UK nationals and those with EU settled status would be eligible, however, any new EU citizens without settled status would not be.
Couples, where neither of them is a UK or EU citizen and they do not have EU settled status, will lose their entitlement.
15 mins ago07:05 Jonathan Walker
Kemi says Conservatives could stand in Clacton
Kemi Badenoch has vowed to “put forward a serious candidate” in Clacton, if a standards investigation leads to a second by-election in the Essex constituency.
Voters in Clacton go to the polls in a week’s time, on Thursday August 13, after Nigel Farage stood down as an MP to trigger a by-election.
The Reform UK leader is standing for re-election and is one of 34 candidates on the 3ft-long ballot paper.
But none of the largest parties in Westminster – Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats – are in the running, having dismissed the poll as a stunt.
However, a second by-election is possible if a Parliamentary inquiry finds Mr Farage broke rules about declaring donations. And Mrs Badenoch has announced that Conservatives will stand a candisate if that happens.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (Image: Getty)
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