Burnham rejects suggestion he wants free movement restored in EU talks

Andy Burnham has denied advocating the restoration of free movement between Britain and the European Union, saying voters must determine the direction of the relationship. His comments came as two senior ministers voiced caution about discussion of full EU or single market membership and the implications of bringing back free movement.

Speaking to ITV, Burnham called for an open assessment of how migration had changed since the Brexit vote. He argued that shorter stays by European migrants, who subsequently returned home, had given way to larger numbers of people arriving from elsewhere, bringing more dependants and settling for longer. He described that shift as the “Boriswave”, while insisting he had not proposed restoring freedom of movement.

Burnham said he believed attitudes towards EU membership had changed, but stressed that he would not move ahead of public opinion. He also reaffirmed his commitment for the current parliament to Labour’s manifesto limits, which exclude rejoining the customs union or single market and bringing back free movement.

The prime minister said a November summit with the EU would consolidate agreements covering food and drink, emissions trading and youth mobility. Talks would then turn to establishing a stable, long-term relationship, with every option available for discussion. A draft circulated among the EU’s 27 member countries indicated that a final agreement was approaching. The Guardian reported that UK ministers were willing to spend up to £450m annually on reduced university fees for EU students in exchange for British access to the bloc’s Made in Europe industrial programme.

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood, who presented extensive migration rule changes to parliament on Monday, declined to engage in speculation about free movement. In an interview with Sky News, she emphasised adherence to Labour’s manifesto and said the prime minister had acknowledged significant problems with free movement that should feature in the wider debate.

Mahmood also said Britain had lost control over migration after Brexit. She argued that losing access to databases shared across the EU had substantially affected the country’s capacity to manage arrivals.

Asked whether she had been consulted about the prime minister’s remarks, Mahmood said she had discussed the subject with Burnham. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, she supported an open discussion about Britain’s departure terms and future relationship a decade after Brexit. However, she reiterated that the manifesto commitment against reopening free movement would remain binding throughout this parliament.

Immigration minister Anna Turley told Sky that her priorities included helping young British people into employment and making the immigration system orderly and controlled. She also highlighted stopping illegal migration through small boats and improving removals.