Britain asks a great deal of those who serve in our Armed Forces. We ask them to put country before self, to accept danger, disruption and sacrifice, and to defend our freedoms on behalf of us all. When their service ends, our duty to them does not.
That is why, in Croydon, we are clear: veterans and serving members of the Armed Forces deserve fair priority access to housing, and they will get it.
Under Croydon Council’s housing allocation scheme, refreshed in April 2025, former Armed Forces personnel, those due to be discharged, bereaved spouses and partners, and reservists injured through service are given explicit priority when it comes to social housing. This is not rhetoric or symbolism. It is written into our policy and applied in practice.
I make no apology for this. It is a matter of national pride and basic fairness.
For too long, too many veterans across the country have felt forgotten once the uniform comes off. Men and women who served with discipline and honour have found themselves struggling to secure stable housing, often through no fault of their own. That is not acceptable, and it is not the Britain most people believe in.
In Croydon, we take a different view. If you have served your country, you should not be pushed to the back of the queue. Where there is genuine housing need, your service will be recognised and respected.
This approach sits alongside a wider commitment to fairness in our housing system. Social housing is scarce, and demand is high. That is why we operate clear rules, tackle tenancy fraud robustly, and ensure homes go to those who genuinely need them. Giving priority to veterans is part of that fairness, not an exception to it.
As Mayor, I am determined that Croydon will always be a borough that backs those who have backed Britain. That means working closely with our local veteran community, listening to their experiences, and making sure council services respond with common sense and decency.
This is not about politics. It is about values. Responsibility. And honouring a simple principle: those who served our country should be able to count on it in return.
Croydon Conservatives will continue to stand up for our Armed Forces community, defend fair access to housing, and ensure that duty and service are recognised in real, practical ways - not just words.
If you are a veteran, serving member of the Armed Forces, or a family member affected by service and need housing support, I encourage you to come forward. We are here to help, and we will treat your service with the respect it deserves.
