Taxpayers are being “ripped off” as a record number of higher-earning households move into social housing, new figures have shown.
More than 2,190 homes were allocated to households earning at least £50,000 a year in 2024-25, the highest level since records began in 2007.
The total is almost double the number recorded in the year before Labour entered Government and marks a sharp increase from just 270 allocations to higher-earning households in 2021-22.
The figures, first reported by The Telegraph, have reignited debate over who should qualify for subsidised housing at a time when demand continues to outstrip supply.
The increase follows Labour’s decision to abandon Conservative plans that would have introduced a maximum household income threshold for new social housing tenants, effectively means-testing access to social homes.
Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner also scrapped proposals that would have restricted eligibility to long-term British residents after Labour won the General Election.
The figures have drawn criticism from the Conservatives, who argue that social housing should be prioritised for those on lower incomes.
Sir James Cleverly, the shadow housing secretary, said: “On Labour’s watch, much-needed social housing is going to well-off people at the taxpayers’ expense and nothing is done about it.
“Labour should act to stop the taxpayer being ripped off.”
Critics warn on Labour’s watch, much-needed social housing is going to well-off people at the taxpayers
|
GETTYThe row comes as local authority waiting lists for social housing have climbed to 1.3 million people, the highest level recorded since 2014.
Before leaving office, the Conservative government had been developing plans to introduce income limits for applicants alongside tighter eligibility requirements. Both measures were dropped after Labour took power.
Among those granted social housing placements were 225 households with post-tax incomes exceeding £70,000 annually.
The number of recipients earning at least £50,000 jumped from 1,167 to 2,193 between 2023 and 2025—an 88 per cent increase.
Among those granted social housing placements were 225 households with post-tax incomes exceeding £70,000 annually
|
GOOGLE MAPSConcerns persist that income verification processes remain insufficiently rigorous, potentially enabling wealthier families to secure subsidised tenancies.
The true scale of affluent tenants may be even greater than official statistics suggest. When records began in 2007-2008, approximately 40 per cent of social housing recipients refused to disclose their earnings to officials.
That figure has now climbed to nearly two-thirds—65 per cent—representing a record proportion of non-disclosure.
English Housing Survey data from 2024-2025 revealed that over 400,000 social tenants earned more than 60 per cent of English households.
Several prominent individuals have faced scrutiny over their social housing arrangements
|
GETTYA Government spokesman attributed the rise partly to inflation-driven wage growth, arguing this naturally pushed more earners above the £50,000 threshold.
The spokesman noted that households in this income bracket represented just 2 per cent of all new social lettings.
“There are clear laws in place to ensure social housing is targeted towards people that need it most,” the spokesman added.
Several prominent individuals have faced scrutiny over their social housing arrangements.
Apsana Begum, the Labour MP for Poplar and Limehouse, was reported to occupy a council flat despite earning £94,000—having previously spoken publicly about London’s housing crisis and rising homelessness rates.