What are Andy Burnham’s views on immigration?

Once known for his liberal views on immigration, since returning to government, Andy Burnham’s stance seems to have hardened somewhat. For starters, he has kept Shabana Mahmood in place as Secretary of State for the Home Office.

Andy Burnham’s publicly stated position on “earned settlement” has been nuanced rather than outright opposition.

The Labour government’s earned settlement proposals would generally require migrants to wait longer before qualifying for settlement (ILR), with progression linked to contributions such as work, tax payments, skills, and integration. Andy Burnham has expressed concern that some of the proposed changes may be too restrictive, but he has also accepted the political need for stronger immigration controls and a system that is seen as fair and controlled. He also voted in support of the Immigration and Asylum Bill which will introduce the new provisions.

Key points from Burnham’s comments and reported positions include:

• He has backed the principle that immigration should be controlled and that public confidence in the system needs to be restored. He has said immigration is an issue that is “fraying” trust in politics and must be addressed.
• He supported the broad direction of Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s immigration reforms, which include tougher routes to settlement, tightening of Article 8 (Family Life) rules, and the replacing of immigration judges with independent adjudicators.
• However, he has called for proper consultation on changes to settled status and has reportedly suggested that some aspects of the reforms could be overly harsh.
• Burnham has historically been more migrant-friendly than many Labour politicians on immigration issues. For example, he previously criticised the “No Recourse to Public Funds” regime and argued for greater support for vulnerable migrants, although he has softened that stance in recent years. His vote in support of the Bill indicates a hardening of his position.
• More broadly, Burnham has advocated a balance between control and compassion: tighter immigration management alongside legal routes, fair treatment of migrants already contributing to the UK, and opportunities for those lawfully present to work and integrate.

The practical takeaway is that Burnham appears to support an earned-settlement model in principle, but he has signalled discomfort with excessively long waiting periods or measures that penalise migrants who are already working, paying taxes, and contributing to society. He is concerned in particular on the impact to those working in the NHS and care sector. His emphasis tends to be on contribution and integration rather than simply extending qualifying periods for their own sake.

At present, there is no evidence that Burnham has called for the earned-settlement policy to be abandoned entirely; rather, he has hinted at a more balanced and proportionate version of it.

Labour’s immigration policy satisfies no-one: it is considered unduly harsh and restrictive by those on the left, and it does not go far enough for those on the right.

David Robinson is a solicitor and partner at RLegal Solicitors. He has specialised in immigration law for more than 30 years.