Burnham declines to say whether legal immigration is too high

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 2 Nov, 08:47 · Archive

Prime Minister Andy Burnham refused to say whether legal migration of 171,000 annually is too high, arguing it must follow economic needs.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham refused to say whether legal immigration at 171,000 annually is too high, instead arguing that migration levels should be determined by economic need. Interviewed by ITV Tonight, he stressed that 'planned migration' must follow 'gaps in the economy', saying it was 'difficult to say' whether the figure was too high or too low.

Burnham acknowledged that small boat crossings represented too high a level of migration, but claimed that overall net migration and boat crossings were both 'down quite significantly' and in 'a much better place' than previously. The latest long-term immigration figures reached a record 944,000 in 2023 before falling dramatically.

The Prime Minister's remarks come as Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood prepared to announce reforms to the immigration system, including proposed changes to the length of time people must spend in the UK before becoming eligible for permanent settlement. Speculation has mounted that the most controversial proposals, including extending the five-year wait for indefinite leave to remain to ten years for foreign care workers, could be watered down following criticism from senior Labour figures, including Housing Secretary Angela Rayner and Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh.

How it is being reported

• Burnham refuses to say 171,000-a-year legal immigration is too high - because it is 'planned'Andy Burnham said the level of net migration had 'come right down' and was in a 'much better place' - suggesting the numbers were needed for 'gaps in the economy'.Daily Mail · 2 Nov, 08:30
• Immigration must be linked to the economy so Britain can fill job gaps, says Andy BurnhamThe Government was expected to water down tougher leave to remain rulesEvening Standard · 2 Nov, 08:28
• Andy Burnham declines to say whether immigration is too highThe Prime Minister said both legal and illegal immigration were down but the numbers coming through official routes were tied to the economy.Evening Standard · 2 Nov, 08:15

In this story: Andy Burnham · Shabana Mahmood · Angela Rayner · Miatta Fahnbulleh · Britain · Labour Government

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