Reform candidate misstates social housing record in Greater Manchester

A Reform UK candidate for Greater Manchester mayor said on 6 July 2026 that Manchester had not built any social housing for decades. The candidate also noted more than 20,000 households on the local housing register. The party later stated the candidate had mis-spoke and clarified that social housing construction had not been the priority for Manchester City Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

The party added that the candidate meant Manchester had not built enough social housing in recent decades.

Official figures Government data analysed by The Independent show 18,433 affordable and social homes were completed across Greater Manchester between 2017 and 2025. Of those, 2,368 were homes for social rent, according to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

In 2025 alone, 611 new social homes were delivered for rent in the region, the highest annual figure since 2011. Across England, 467,743 affordable homes were delivered over the same period.

Current demand More than 97,000 households remain on social housing waiting lists in Greater Manchester, with over 26,000 identified as in priority need. England has more than 1.3 million households on social housing waiting lists, according to Shelter.

The charity estimates that clearing the national backlog would take 119 years at the current rate of delivery. Affordable housing covers both rented units and homes for sale priced at least 20 per cent below local market rates.