Why UK Net Migration Must Fall Further, According to Andy Burnham

By VirentaNews Staff — May 24, 2026

On a crisp autumn morning in Wigan’s Market Square, the rhythms of a town in transition echo through the chatter of street vendors, the clatter of delivery vans, and the occasional burst of Polish or Urdu from passing workers. Once a heartland of British manufacturing, the town now bears the subtle imprints of decades of migration—curry houses next to fish-and-chip shops, Eastern European grocery stores tucked between betting parlors. It is here, amid the layered textures of a changing Britain, that Andy Burnham stands before a modest crowd, microphone in hand, making a carefully measured argument: the UK’s net migration, though recently curbed, still demands a sharper downward trajectory. His message is neither xenophobic nor dismissive of migration’s benefits, but rooted in a belief that policy must reflect both economic pragmatism and social cohesion. In a nation where immigration has long been a flashpoint, Burnham’s stance strikes a delicate chord—one that seeks to reconcile compassion with control.

Net Migration Still Too High, Burnham Asserts

Despite a reported decline in net migration from its 2023 peak, Andy Burnham maintains that current levels remain unsustainable. Official Office for National Statistics data released in August 2024 showed net migration at 685,000—down from 745,000 the previous year—but still among the highest in European nations. Burnham, Labour’s candidate for the Makerfield constituency and a longtime advocate for northern revitalization, argues that such figures strain public services, exacerbate housing shortages, and undermine public trust in governance. During a recent policy speech in Leigh, he emphasized that while the government’s recent visa restrictions and salary thresholds for skilled workers are steps in the right direction, they fall short of addressing systemic imbalances. He specifically criticized the continued dependence on overseas labor in low-wage sectors, warning that unchecked reliance on foreign workers risks depressing wages and discouraging domestic workforce development.

The Long Road to Current Immigration Levels

To understand Burnham’s position, one must trace the arc of UK immigration policy over the past three decades. The Labour government of Tony Blair in the late 1990s opened doors to workers from Central and Eastern Europe following EU enlargement, spurring economic growth but also sowing seeds of discontent in post-industrial towns. Subsequent Conservative-led governments oscillated between tightening borders and embracing global talent, often driven by competing economic and political pressures. The 2016 Brexit referendum, in which immigration was a central theme, promised greater control—but post-Brexit data reveals a paradox: while EU migration has declined, non-EU migration has surged, driven by student visas, family reunions, and labor shortages in healthcare and hospitality. According to analysis by the BBC, international student numbers reached record highs in 2023, with dependents accounting for a significant portion of net migration. Burnham contends that this shift reflects policy incoherence, where short-term economic needs override long-term planning.

The Politicians Shaping the Debate

Andy Burnham is not alone in calling for recalibration, but his voice carries particular weight as a prominent figure in Labour’s soft-left wing and a former Home Office minister. His perspective is shaped by years of engagement with communities in Greater Manchester, where demographic change has been both enriching and disruptive. Unlike more hardline voices in the Conservative Party, Burnham avoids inflammatory rhetoric, instead framing immigration as a governance issue rather than a cultural threat. He is joined by figures like Wes Streeting, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, who has acknowledged the NHS’s reliance on foreign staff while advocating for increased domestic training. On the other side, Home Secretary James Cleverly has defended current policies as necessary to fill labor gaps, a stance Burnham challenges as reactive rather than strategic. The tension reflects a broader national struggle: how to maintain economic competitiveness without eroding social solidarity.

Consequences for Communities and Policy

The stakes extend beyond statistics. In towns like Makerfield, rapid demographic shifts have coincided with underinvestment in infrastructure, leaving schools, GP surgeries, and rental markets under pressure. Burnham warns that without coordinated action, resentment could grow, fueling political polarization. At the same time, he acknowledges the vital contributions of immigrants, citing local examples of doctors, engineers, and entrepreneurs who have revitalized struggling neighborhoods. His proposed solution—a points-based system prioritizing skills aligned with national needs, stricter limits on low-wage sponsorship, and expanded apprenticeships—aims to balance these competing realities. Critics argue such measures could deter essential workers, but Burnham insists that sustainable migration must serve both the economy and the social fabric.

The Bigger Picture

Burnham’s argument is emblematic of a broader reckoning across Western democracies grappling with globalization’s discontents. From Germany to Canada, nations are re-evaluating how to manage migration in ways that are fair, transparent, and aligned with public sentiment. In the UK, the debate is further complicated by Brexit’s legacy and regional inequalities. Burnham’s call for balance reflects a growing consensus that immigration policy cannot be dictated solely by labor markets or humanitarian impulses—it must be integrated into a wider vision of national renewal, particularly in regions long neglected by central government.

What comes next may hinge on Labour’s electoral fortunes and its ability to articulate a coherent migration vision. If Burnham’s stance gains traction within the party, it could signal a shift toward a more centrist, pragmatic approach—one that neither demonizes migrants nor ignores public concern. In a country still searching for identity after Brexit, such balance may be the most elusive, yet essential, goal of all.

Source: BBC