Pro-Brexit campaigners have warned Prime Minister Andy Burnham that rejoining the European Union could force Britain to accept thousands of extra migrants a year or pay millions of pounds instead. Analysis by the Stay Out group suggests the UK would have to take in around 4,400 asylum seekers annually or contribute £76 million under the EU's asylum solidarity scheme.
Warning over asylum solidarity scheme
The EU's asylum solidarity scheme requires members to accept asylum seekers from countries on the frontline of the crisis or pay a set amount for every place declined. Stay Out, launched by figures from the 2016 Vote Leave campaign, calculated that Britain's share would be 4,444 people a year, enough to fill 47 asylum hotels.
The alternative would be a payment of £17,000 for every person rejected, amounting to £75.6 million a year or almost £1.5 million a week, the research said. If the UK refused, it would risk fines from the European Court of Justice.
Political reactions
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: "More mass migration madness is the very last thing we need. This would be another catastrophic Brexit betrayal from the establishment." He added: "If Open Borders Burnham wants a battle over open-door immigration - I say bring it on. I will fight this tooth and nail."
Tory Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: "It would be a betrayal of the British people if the Government signed up to take in any of Europe's illegal immigrants or handed over any of our hard-earned money for no reason." He pointed to the Conservative BORDERS plan, which involves leaving the European Convention on Human Rights to enable rapid deportation of illegal immigrants.
Brussels summit and future relationship
The warning comes as Burnham is heading to Brussels on Friday to meet EU leaders at a joint summit. The Prime Minister is set to sign agreements on food and farming, emissions trading and youth mobility, which he insists will ease the cost of living and boost the economy. He is also looking at options for the long-term future relationship with the bloc and has not ruled out rejoining.
Farage is also travelling to Brussels at the same time to oppose Burnham's plans. Stay Out's chairman and former deputy chief Brexit negotiator for the UK, Oliver Lewis, said: "Andy Burnham wants to rejoin the EU without telling the public it would mean thousands more asylum seekers sent here from Southern Europe every year, enough to fill dozens more hotels, on top of a £750 million a week membership fee."
The campaign group also suggested the UK's annual payments to the EU's budget could reach £750 million a week if the country rejoins. Lewis added: "There would be no veto, no opt-out and no end date, and the bill would rise whenever other European countries voted to raise it."
Government position
A Government spokesperson said: "The Brexit deal that was negotiated by the previous Government was not good enough for Britain. It has damaged our economy and weakened our control over immigration. That was not what was promised." The spokesperson confirmed the UK-EU summit is about improving the deal and that manifesto red lines remain, with no return to the Customs Union, Single Market or freedom of movement in this Parliament.
The spokesperson added that net migration is down by 82% since its peak in 2023, and more than 80,000 people with no right to be in the UK have been removed or returned since the election. Any major changes would have to come after the next general election, as Burnham has committed to Labour's manifesto red lines.
