Andy Burnham has been accused of learning “nothing” from the migrant crisis after hinting he will water down Shabana Mahmood’s crackdown on settlement rights. The Prime Minister told the BBC he wants to bring a “new pair of eyes” to the immigration row engulfing the Home Secretary.
Criticism from shadow home secretary
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp warned that communities “have failed to integrate” following a record influx of foreign nationals. He added: “Our generosity has been abused.” Mr Philp said: “Andy Burnham has learnt nothing from the failure of low-skilled mass immigration, and sadly wants to open the door to even more.”
Labour's proposed rules
Under Labour’s plans, migrants face a 10 to 15-year wait for indefinite leave to remain. They could be barred from claiming benefits unless they become British citizens. Arrivals applying after 10 years must have no criminal record, speak English to A-level standards and have no debt.
Pressure from left-wing MPs and unions
Allies of Ms Mahmood insist the move is necessary to prevent the benefits bill from ballooning as 1.6 million foreign nationals who arrived between 2021 and 2025 gain settlement rights. But Left-wing MPs, trade unions and health groups want the Home Office to exempt migrants already here, claiming it is unfair to change the rules after millions moved with the five-year threshold still in place.
Burnham's response
Mr Burnham said he will seek a “fair resolution”. He told the BBC: “I came in and I am listening to people's views, and we'll come to a fair resolution.” He added: “I think people would expect me to bring a new pair of eyes to these issues and find where the fairness is and the right point of balance.”
Net migration figures
Net migration surged to a record 944,000 in the year to March 2023. It hit 764,000 in 2022, before dropping to 649,000 in June 2024. It fell to 171,000 in the year to December 2025.
Concerns over NHS and social care
The Daily Express revealed that Ms Mahmood received warnings that her plans could trigger an exodus of tens of thousands of foreign doctors and nurses. Patient care could be plunged into crisis, with appointments cancelled, health groups warned.
