GB News host Alex Armstrong halted his show to react to the news  Labour plans to house illegal immigrants in new-build social housing. The £100 million pilot scheme, which will enable councils to build new properties solely for asylum seekers, has garnered around 200 expressions of interest from local authorities. Councils will be able to use the funding to either build new properties or refurbish existing ones.

Asylum seekers are to be housed in newly built council homes as part of the Government’s push to end the use of migrant hotels. Some council bosses are said to be keen on “renationalising” asylum accommodation, rather than private contractors, and welcome the prospect of adding more properties to their portfolio. But the decision has been met with fury by those who feel extra money spent on social housing should be for local residents.

In a scathing appraisal of the scheme, Armstrong said: “Bad news, brand new council homes are now being lined up for illegal migrants while British families sit on waiting lists that stretch into decades. That’s the reality facing this country, as the Prime Minister hails change on the horizon in his New Year’s message, that does sound like change for sure, but bad change for British people. Good for people breaking into our country, of course.

He went on: “According to figures last year, over one million households are waiting for social housing.

“Homes that were meant for nurses, care workers, young families and pensioners who’ve paid into the system all their lives, they will be at the back of the queue, won’t they?

“This is a treacherous betrayal of British people,” he fumed. “We’re told this policy will save money by ending expensive hotel contracts, but let’s be honest, it just shifts the burden on to local communities already stretched to breaking point.

“Councils are warning they can’t cope. Families are being priced out, and in some areas, tenants are being pushed out so properties can be handed over for migrant accommodation.”

“Putting it bluntly, this is displacement of native British people, isn’t it? People watching this know exactly what’s happening in your local areas,” he said addressing the viewers directly.

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Keir Starmer’s government has announced plans to build homes for migrants (Image: Getty)

“Many of you who might be on these waiting lists for social houses have followed the rules wasted years, and now you’re told to wait even longer because someone else has jumped the queue.”

“Councils that sign up for this new programme will become magnets for illegal migrants. Towns will be flooded with them, as they know they’ll be jumping the queue for a free home after contributing absolutely nothing,” he predicted.

“If you’re British, English, Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish, you work, you pay tax, raise a family and play by the rules you shouldn’t come second in your own country, should you?

“I shouldn’t even have to say that out loud. That’s the truth. You are becoming second class citizens in your own country,” he raged in conclusion.

Last year, 1.33million people were on a waiting list for social housing in England – the highest number since 2014.

Around 20,560 social homes were reportedly lost in 2023/2024, primarily through Right to Buy sales and demolitions, while England is expected to sell off eight times as many council homes in 2025/26 as were built in the previous year.

In London, only about five per cent of those on the waiting list have any chance of being rehoused, according to a City Hall inquiry.

In some boroughs, the average wait for a family home is up to 15 years.