Richard Tice Outlines Reform UK Plans to Prioritize British-Born Workers for Social Housing
Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK, announced plans to prioritize British-born workers under the age of 35 for social housing. The policy aims to replace the current system with one that favors British citizens born in the UK over foreign nationals, who currently occupy approximately 540,000 social homes. Tice also highlighted that married couples with children and veterans will receive preferential treatment, while the party intends to build 50,000 affordable social homes annually without new taxes or borrowing. Labour critics dismissed the proposal as "unserious and unworkable," arguing that it would penalize long-term UK residents who are not British citizens, such as NHS staff. The Conservative Party also plans to revoke the right of foreign nationals to social housing, though they intend to allow Irish and some EU nationals to remain. Reform UK maintains that the current housing market is broken and that prioritizing young British workers is essential to provide the homes they deserve.