Reform UK has proposed a policy that could lead to the eviction of social home tenants who fail to maintain their properties to a "reasonable standard." The party's chairman and chief whip, Lee Anderson, suggested that tenants should be required to keep council homes tidy or face removal.
Anderson stated, "What is wrong with expecting people who live in subsidised housing – paid for and subsidised by the hardworking British taxpayer – to keep their house to a reasonable standard?" He argued that the public expects taxpayers' money to support individuals who are prepared to maintain their homes, contrasting this with instances of neglect such as unemptied bins or overgrown gardens.
These remarks were made as Reform unveiled plans to build 50,000 new social homes annually, prioritizing them for British-born workers. A policy document outlined the intention to introduce "strict criteria" for the maintenance of these new homes, with "evictions required for repeated breaches of standards."
Anderson drew a parallel to post-World War II policies, where tenants were given opportunities to maintain their properties, and "if after that you didn't keep it up to a reasonable standard, you're out." He suggested a similar approach for the proposed new homes.
The party's business spokesperson, Richard Tice, indicated that the housing initiative, estimated to cost £10 billion per year, would be partly funded by restoring the Right to Buy scheme. Proceeds from the sale of council homes would be reinvested in building new affordable housing, with a target of constructing two new homes for every one sold. Tice stated, "The mistake was not building more. This plan is about building over a decade another 500,000 affordable social homes."
Reform plans to fund the remainder of the housing program through a British Sovereign Wealth Fund and by increasing the debt levels of housing associations. The party also mentioned exploring the use of empty military housing for homeless veterans.
However, the proposals have faced criticism from rival parties. Shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly called it an "unfunded announcement" with questionable financial planning. A Labour spokesperson described the plans as "unworkable and unserious" and suggested they were an attempt to distract from other issues. Labour has announced its own commitment of £10 billion for affordable housing development, to be distributed among councils, housing associations, and mayoral areas.