A Tory proposal to offer UK households larger precedence for social housing has been branded “divisive and depressing” by campaigners.
Officials are reportedly contemplating a “British homes for British workers” scheme in a determined effort to spice up Rishi Sunak’s makes an attempt to sound powerful on immigration.
It comes because the Tories proceed to path Labour within the nationwide polls and amid panic over dropping votes to the right-wing Reform UK social gathering – launched by Nigel Farage. According to The Guardian the federal government is planning to launch a session on the brand new proposals subsequent month.
The plan may additionally be an try to shift blame for the housing emergency from the Conservatives’ dire file with round 1.2million on the social housing ready checklist.
The chief government of housing charity Shelter, Polly Neate, described the scheme as “scapegoating at its worst”, saying: “It’s divisive and depressing – and I dread to think what’s coming as the election gets closer”. She added: “Not only does it ignore the fact that there are already stringent rules so only UK citizens or those with settled status can access homes for social rent, but it blames a group of people for a housing emergency that they did not create.”
According to Shelter 21,600 social properties have been both offered or demolished in 2021-22 whereas simply 7,500 new properties have been constructed – resulting in a lack of 14,100 properties. Government figures from the identical yr additionally present 9 in 10 of the lead tenants in social properties are UK residents.
The charity Crisis additionally hit out on the coverage for “scapegoating” immigrants, saying: “To end the housing crisis we need proper solutions – not policies that exclude people from support when they need it most.”
Campaign group the National Housing Federation added: “Everyone deserves a safe, secure place to live. The housing crisis isn’t caused by immigration – it’s caused by years of underfunding and short-term policies for social housing. The way to solve this is a long-term plan for housing which addresses the severe shortage of social homes.”
A spokesman for the Prime Minister mentioned: “I’ve seen the speculation on this. I wouldn’t comment on the policy speculation. All I can point to is the 659,000 affordable homes built over recent years including 166,000 for affordable rent.”