The charity Shelter has faced criticism after asking a homeless military veteran to insert pro-migration messaging into his personal testimony about homelessness. The veteran, who served from 2018 to 2023 including in Ukraine and Eastern Europe, originally submitted his account to Shelter's request for homelessness stories, but was subsequently asked to add lines defending immigrants' access to housing—a change he had not consented to.

The veteran, who left the Army due to mental health issues and injuries, had submitted an account covering his PTSD, homelessness and difficulties with Chesterfield council. After Shelter initially praised the story, the organisation sent an email proposing specific messaging about migrants and housing policy. The veteran argues the charity attempted to use his personal experience as political propaganda, whilst Conservative MP Katie Lam accused Shelter of treating him as a "political pawn" for an ideological campaign. Shelter has since apologised, acknowledging that its approach "was not the right one in this instance."