Helen Whately, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, announced the Conservative Party will end social housing tenancies for foreign nationals in England. The policy exempts current tenants who hold EU Settled Status, but excludes all non UK nationals from future tenancies.
Whately spoke at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester on October 6, 2025. She stated that almost half of London social housing is rented to foreign nationals, while nearly a quarter of a million social homes across England are currently let to foreign citizens.
According to Whately, social housing is heavily subsidised by British taxpayers, and tenancies can last a lifetime or be passed to future generations. She argued that welfare should serve as a safety net rather than a lifestyle choice, pointing out that over 1.3 million households remain on council waiting lists.
Future Housing Eligibility
Under the Tory plan, all future social housing tenancies will be restricted exclusively to UK nationals, excluding all other nationalities, including EU citizens. Freed up properties will go directly to British families at the top of waiting lists, including those living in expensive bed and breakfast accommodation or unaffordable private rentals.
The party estimates that nearly 230,000 homes could be transferred to British families under the changes, saving taxpayers millions of pounds. Whately said the policy builds on a broader plan to end benefits for foreign nationals, which she stated would save taxpayers £7 billion a year.
Whately noted that for 50 years, a British family and a household that arrived two years ago have often been given the exact same housing chance. She said the proposed changes aim to restore fairness and ensure British families come first.
