- Andy Burnham has blamed Brexit for Britain's migrant crisis, arguing that leaving the European Union resulted in “weaker control” over immigration.
- He said that the small boats crisis stemmed from the UK losing its ability to return migrants in the manner it previously could under EU arrangements.
- While expressing a desire for the UK to rejoin the EU in his lifetime, Burnham insisted he would not move ahead of public opinion or dictate the process.
- Burnham ruled out reintroducing EU freedom of movement without a public referendum, confirming no changes will be proposed during this parliament.
- More than 200,000 migrants have crossed the Channel since 2018, despite a 41 per cent drop in small boat arrivals during the first half of 2026.
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