UK net migration needs to fall further, says Andy Burnham

Andy Burnham has said UK net migration "needs to fall further". after new government figures showed it had almost halved since 2024.

Labour's by-election candidate in Makerfield said people on the doorstep have "raised their concerns about immigration" with him.

He added the latest figures on net migration - the difference between those entering. leaving the country - show the "trend is significantly down".

On Thursday,Home Office data reported. migration added 171,000 people to the UK's population last year- with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer saying there was "more to do".

The figure was at its lowest level since 2012, excluding the Covid pandemic.

Burnham. the current Greater Manchester mayor, also said the government must "get the balance right" on its plans to make it harder for migrants to settle permanently in the UK.

He said he "supports the broad thrust" of what Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is proposing.

Mahmood has argued the planned changes are "fair" and required to avoid a "drain on our public finances".

But some Labour MPs,including former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, have described the retrospective nature of the proposals as "un-British". a case of "moving the goalposts".

Burnham highlighted the consultation on the home secretary's plans, adding: "We'll have to work hard to get the balance right,. the broad thrust of what she's doing is right."

Settlement, also known as indefinite leave to remain, gives a person the right to live, work. study in the UK for as long as they like and apply for benefits if they are eligible.

The Home Office has forecast that around 1.6m people could settle between 2026 and 2030 if no changes are made.

Burnham also said his view on single-sex spaces has changed after being asked if he accepts thenew guidance from the Equalities. Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

Single-sex spaces – such as changing rooms. toilets – should be used on the basis of biological sex, according to the guidance approved by ministers.

Burnham previously said. a "small minority" have a problem with trans women - biological males who identify as women – in women's toilets.

On Friday, Burnham said he accepted the Supreme Court ruling that the definition of a woman under the Equality Act should be based on biological sex. it "has to be implemented".

He added the ruling also made clear "that this should not be a kind of victory over other people in society,. marginalised people should not be marginalised further".

Challenged on whether his position on the matter had changed, he told the BBC: "I'll be honest, yes. I've followed the debate as it's gone along over the years."

Burnham said he has "always taken a live. let live approach", adding he wants a situation that is "fair but that recognises the concerns of all people and finds the point of balance and then brings people back together".

Burnham is seeking a return to Westminster by contesting the by-election in the Greater Manchester constituency.

He is widely expected to challenge Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership, should he become an MP.

Speaking at his campaign launch on Friday, Burnham said a vote for him is a "vote to change Labour". ensure voters get "the party back they used to know".

Sir Keir has faced intense speculation about his future following Labour's poor election results earlier this month.

But he has defied calls from dozens of his MPs to step down, with no formal challenge launched against him.

Sir Keir has saidhe will be out campaigning for Burnhamin the by-election, adding it is a "straight fight between Labour. Reform".

Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon, a councillor. self-employed plumber who came second to Labour in 2024, said Makerfield "isn't a stepping stone" for him.

He made the remark on X as he posted video of him driving in his van with Reform leader Nigel Farage.

Kenyon told Farage that Labour has taken voters in the area "for granted". adding the "safe seats are massively under threat".

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch told broadcasters: "What worries me is the Makerfield by-election has been created to sort out an internal Labour Party problem."

On Friday, the Liberal Democrats said councillor Jake Austin has been selected as its candidate.

The Green Party intend to make a decision on a replacement candidate on Monday aftertheir initial choice withdrew hours after he was announced.

A full list of the parties who have so far announced their candidates for the Makerfield by-election can be found here.

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