Almost half of the homes built since Labour entered government have effectively been absorbed by population growth driven by net migration, according to new figures that have intensified pressure on Sir Keir Starmer over housing and border control.
Analysis of official data suggests that since Labour took office in 2024, net migration has added more than 312,000 people to the UK population — generating demand for an estimated 130,000 additional homes.
The figure is equivalent to roughly 47 per cent of the homes constructed during the same period, prompting Conservative critics to claim that Labour’s housebuilding efforts are being overwhelmed by continued migration pressures.
Katie Lam, the Conservative MP, said the combination of high immigration and limited housing supply had left younger generations increasingly unable to get onto the property ladder.
“The combination of low supply, because of restrictions on housebuilding, and high demand, driven mostly by immigration, has left a whole generation locked out of home ownership,” she said.
She accused the Government of failing to implement what she described as a “limited, selective immigration system”, arguing that ministers had worsened both the housing shortage and pressures on public services.
The findings are likely to deepen political tensions over migration levels, which remain one of the most sensitive issues facing the Government despite a recent fall in headline numbers.
Official figures showed net migration stood at 331,000 in the year to December 2024 before declining to 171,000 the following year — a reduction Labour has pointed to as evidence that tighter enforcement measures are beginning to take effect.
However, critics argue that even reduced levels of migration continue to place substantial pressure on housing supply, particularly in areas already struggling with affordability and shortages.
Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said the figures demonstrated the consequences of what he called “uncontrolled immigration”.
“Nearly half of all homes Labour delivers vanish before a British family gets a look in,” he said.
He claimed the Conservatives would pursue tougher border controls, including withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights and accelerating removals of illegal migrants, while also attempting to increase housing supply through tax and planning reforms.
Alp Mehmet, chairman of Migration Watch UK, warned that migration “on this scale” would inevitably increase pressure on Britain’s housing stock.
“If the Government wants to ease pressure on housing it should begin by controlling, then reducing, immigration,” he said.
Labour rejected the criticism, insisting it inherited both a housing shortage and record migration levels from the Conservatives.
A party spokesman said the previous government had “completely lost control of our borders” while simultaneously allowing the housing crisis to worsen.
“Their brass neck is off the charts,” the spokesman said.
Labour also highlighted a sharp reduction in net migration figures since taking office, alongside increased removals of people without legal status and reforms to planning laws aimed at accelerating construction.
The debate is expected to intensify as ministers attempt to meet ambitious housebuilding targets while facing mounting public concern over immigration, affordability and pressure on infrastructure.
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