The rising cost of living in the UK didn’t just start today but the measures to stem it is likely the reason for housing shortage which can be predicted to increase till the year 2026 by analysts.
The UK government left the EU in 2020 primarily because they want a prosperous economy that has protection against crime and terrorism, control over immigration and efficient public services as explained by Professor Paul Whiteley from the Department of Government.
Leaving the European Union seems like shooting themselves on the leg because most of the policies made recently to make the country a prosperous one is working against them such as the accommodation crises.
There have been many immigration laws favoring foreign citizens to come to the UK especially for studies. This has been a good revenue for the UK government. Now, the thousands of foreign students in the country are having problem finding where to stay.
This is not only affecting the foreign students but everyone living in the UK because the high demand of it has made the cost of accommodation skyrocketed over the years. You’ll have to spend more of your salary to pay rent. At the end of the day, little or nothing to save so, food crises becomes another related risk.
The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak announced in July 2023 of his commitment to build 1 million homes and just recently, the government has increased the visa fees which affect mostly the immigrants. Are the international students to bear the brunt of the housing crises in the UK?
According to the analysis by student accommodation service StuRents, there will be a predicted deficit of 620,000 student beds by 2026 with Bristol, Manchester and Glasgow the worst affected cities. This all means there haven’t been proper planning on the laws opening various doors for immigrants to flock into the country.
“Last year, there were significant housing shortages for students in Brighton, Bristol, Durham, Glasgow, Manchester and York. These are set to worsen in 2023. The possible exception is Brighton where there may be some easing of demand, as intakes have fallen.”: HEPI, UK.