Yusuf in clash with Jenrick over Reform deportation policy

Reform UK’s deportation policy has prompted public disagreement between Zia Yusuf and Robert Jenrick. Jenrick said foreign nationals would not be removed solely for living in social housing, but could be asked to leave if they failed criteria related to work and earnings. Yusuf rejected Jenrick’s framing, saying it was not Reform policy and that foreign nationals in social housing would be removed from the UK at taxpayer expense. Home Office minister Mike Tapp criticized Reform for inconsistency, while Conservative MP Chris Philp said Reform was not serious. The dispute follows comparisons with Restore Britain, which includes social housing in its deportation criteria. Reform also proposes abolishing indefinite leave to remain and replacing it with time-limited visas requiring reapplication under tougher rules.

"Treasury spokesman Jenrick had said foreign nationals would not be removed just because they live in social housing, but also if they were not working or earning enough. But Yusuf, the home affairs spokesman, said Jenrick's answer was "not Reform policy" and the party would look to remove foreign nationals living in social housing "at taxpayer expense" from the UK."

"Home Office minister Mike Tapp said Reform were "making it up as they go along", while Conservative MP Chris Philp said it showed Reform was "not a serious party". It comes after Jenrick was asked about how Reform's deportation policy compared to that of Restore Britain, led by Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe, during an interview with Sky News on Sunday."

"Restore has set out criteria for deportation for foreign nationals legally resident in the UK, which includes if they live in social housing. Reform has proposed abolishing indefinite leave to remain (ILR) - a status that generally allows foreign nationals access to benefits, including social housing - and requiring migrants to reapply for new time-limited visas with tougher rules."

""Well, not exclusively because of that. "But if they fail to meet our criteria because they're not in work or they're not working as many hours, not earning enough money, then they won't be able to renew their work visa because ILR won't exist, and they will be asked to leave." He added social housing would be "purely for British citizens"."

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