Andy Burnham, the Labour candidate for the upcoming Makerfield by-election, has stated that UK net migration "needs to fall further" following new data showing a near-halving since 2024. The Greater Manchester mayor and former cabinet minister said residents on the campaign trail have shared "their concerns about immigration" with him.
Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics indicate that net migration added 171,000 people to the UK population last year, the lowest level since 2012 when excluding the pandemic period. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged there is "more to do" on reducing numbers.
Burnham expressed support for Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's proposed changes to make it harder for migrants to settle permanently in the UK, though he cautioned that the government must "get the balance right." Mahmood argues the changes are "fair" and necessary to prevent a "drain on our public finances."
However, some Labour MPs, including former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, have criticized the retrospective nature of the proposals as "un-British" and akin to "moving the goalposts." Burnham noted the ongoing consultation on the plans, adding: "We'll have to work hard to get the balance right, but the broad thrust of what she's doing is right."
Speaking at his campaign launch, Burnham also addressed the issue of single-sex spaces, acknowledging a shift in his views. He now accepts the Equalities and Human Rights Commission guidance that such spaces should be used based on biological sex, following a Supreme Court ruling. "I'll be honest, yes," he said when asked if his position had changed. "I've followed the debate as it's gone along over the years."
Burnham is widely seen as a potential challenger to Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership, should he return to Westminster. He framed his candidacy as a "vote to change Labour" and bring back the party voters "used to know."
The by-election in the Greater Manchester constituency is seen as a key test for the government, with Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon warning that Labour has taken voters there "for granted" and that "safe seats are massively under threat." Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized the by-election as a fix for "an internal Labour Party problem."
The Liberal Democrats have selected councillor Jake Austin as their candidate, while the Greens will announce a replacement candidate on Monday after their initial pick withdrew.