A report by the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) has revealed that foreigners and British citizens without passports, particularly those from ethnic minorities, are being discriminated against in the private rental housing market as a result of the Right to Rent scheme designed to crack down on irregular immigration.
Paddick
Commenting on the report, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary Brian Paddick said: “Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords vehemently opposed these measures because we believed that unlawful discrimination would be the unintended consequence. This research shows that our worst fears have been realised.
“British people from black and other minority ethnic backgrounds are suffering unlawful racial discrimination and even white British people are being discriminated against by landlords if they do not have a passport.
“The research shows it is almost impossible for the most vulnerable in our society, including those legitimately seeking asylum, to find a home to rent.
