Last year, I submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to Havant Borough Council (HBC), revealing a £10.2 million capital spending budget for housing asylum seekers and illegal immigrants. A subsequent FOI request showed 160 local residents are in temporary accommodation.
The Labour Home Office proposed housing 35 illegal immigrants in luxury flats near schools in Waterlooville, but resident protests in July and August 2025, attended by myself and 2,000 people, led to the plan’s cancellation.
I believe the Labour and previous Conservative governments should prioritize British citizens for housing over illegal immigrants, especially in luxury apartments and 4-star hotels.
In February 2024, under Conservative-led Havant Borough Council (HBC), I submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to determine the capital spending allocated to housing illegal immigrants and asylum seekers.
The response revealed a total of £10.2 million: £4.2 million from the Local Authority Housing Fund and £6.0 million borrowed by HBC.
In May 2025, under a Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Green Party coalition-led HBC, I submitted another FOI request asking for the number of homeless Havant residents (excluding asylum seekers) in temporary accommodation on 31 December 2024, 31 March 2025, and 30 June 2025.
The response was:
| Date | Number |
| 31 December 2024 | 132 |
| 31 March 2025 | 197 |
| 30 June 2025 | 160 |
| Average | 183 |
I remain concerned that illegal immigrants and asylum seekers are prioritised over Havant residents for luxury housing.
In July and August 2025, approximately 2,000 residents from Waterlooville and the surrounding areas protested against plans to house illegal immigrants in luxury flats in London Road.
Residents were particularly concerned that the location was near to local schools in Waterlooville.
Residents expressed concerns that HBC’s continued neglect of the Waterlooville shopping centre would worsen, potentially making the area unsafe for local children.
The video to the left/above shows some of the 2,000 attendees to the protest.
By 13 August 2025, HBC confirmed that the London Road, Waterlooville property would not be used to house illegal immigrants.
However, Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities, agreed that “the rights of asylum seekers are more important than the rights of people in Epping Forest,” where similar protests against migrant housing have occurred.
I believe that the rights of British citizens should take precedence over those of illegal immigrants who have entered the UK unlawfully, often claiming asylum after traveling through safe countries like France.