Tory MP: Immigration partly behind homelessness in UK

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David Nuttall said immigration is partly to be blamed for homeless in the UK

David Nuttall (Bury North) added the demand for housing and rental levels have also been affected by the number of people who move to the country. 

Some Labour MPs appeared less than impressed with his remarks, as the Commons debated proposals to ensure councils do more to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place. 

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One of the underlying causes of homelessness is the supply of homes, and it is therefore incumbent on all social housing providers to keep their voids to a minimum

David Nuttall

Figures released in August showed net long-term migration – the difference between the number of people arriving in and leaving the UK – stood at an estimated 327,000 in the year to March. 

The Government’s target is to ensure the level is “tens of thousands”

Speaking during the second reading of the Homelessness Reduction Bill, Mr Nuttall said: “One of the underlying causes of homelessness is the supply of homes, and it is therefore incumbent on all social housing providers to keep their voids to a minimum. 

“But the other side of the equation, which is something we’ve not really heard about this morning, is that of demand and the effect that immigration is having on the supply of housing.

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Net long-term migration stood at an estimated 327,000 in the year to March

“With a net few hundred thousand people more a year coming into the country, all those needing a home somewhere, it must be having an effect and impact on the number of homes required in the country, it must be having an effect on homelessness. 

“It must be also having an effect on rental levels, but nevertheless I support the Bill.” 

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Some Labour MPs appeared less than impressed with Mr Nuttall’s remarks

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Mr Nuttall cautioned earlier that legislation alone would not solve the problem of homelessness

Mr Nuttall cautioned earlier that legislation alone would not solve the problem of homelessness.