Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has sparked outrage after dismissing the housing shortage and claiming local councils have “lots of housing” available. Angry Tories said the Prime Minister was “living in a bubble” and “hasn’t a clue”. They spoke out after Sir Keir said housing was available for homeless families and for migrants being moved out of hotels.
The Prime Minister made the bizarre comment as he spoke to the House of Commons Liaison Committee. MPs asked him when the Government was going to end the scandal of homeless families being forced into temporary accommodation. And two Labour MPs, Dame Meg Hillier and Florence Eshalomi, pointed out that properties were being bought by the Home Office, which is trying to find homes for asylum seekers.
Sir Keir was condemned by Susan Hall, Conservative member of the London assembly and former candidate for London mayor. She asked: “What is Keir Starmer on??? Local Authorities are desperate for additional housing because temporary accommodation is costing them a fortune. Our prime minister is living in a bubble and hasn’t a clue!”
And Shadow Local Government Secretary Kevin Hollinrake pointed out that Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner had also claimed there was plenty of housing. He said the comments “beggars belief” and said: “Maybe someone should brief them: For millions, it’s just not the kind you can afford, find, or live in.”
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “There are 1.3 million people on social housing waiting lists in England alone. But Keir Starmer believes there’s ‘lots of housing’ spare we should be giving to illegal migrants.
“That’s madness. What is he going on about?”.
The Home Office has confirmed it is trying to buy properties to place asylum seekers in, to end the scandal of migrants being placed in expensive hotels. It has said it is working with local councils to ensure it does not make local housing shortages worse.
This is how the exchange with MPs want as Sir Keir spoke to the Liaison Committee.
Labour MP and Committee chair Dame Meg Hillier: It is just that we have the Home Office bidding for homes for asylum seekers, and we have councils bidding for the same properties—
Labour MP Florence Eshalomi: —for the homeless. Everyone is chasing the same ones.
Dame Meg Hillier: It is driving up the price and the cost.
The Prime Minister: I know, which is why I am so furious at the last Government for leaving tens of thousands of asylum seekers unprocessed and with nowhere to live, other than accommodation paid for by the taxpayer.
Dame Meg Hillier: Are you planning to build homes?
The Prime Minister: We will have to do a number of things; of course, we will have to build.
Dame Meg Hillier: But that will not happen in the next year?
The Prime Minister: We have to take over other accommodation, and we have to drive down the asylum lists. There is no alternative.
Dame Meg Hillier: Just to pinpoint this, precisely what other accommodation are you planning to take over to provide temporary accommodation for families?
The Prime Minister: There is lots of housing in many local authorities that can be used, and we are identifying where it can be used.
Dame Meg Hillier: Do you have any examples that you can give us?
The Prime Minister: No, but I will give you details in writing.