Burnham Calls for Further Cut to UK Net Migration After 171,000 Rise

TL;DR: Net migration added 171,000 people to the UK last year – the lowest level since 2012 – and Mayor Andy Burnham says the figure must fall further.

Context The Office for National Statistics reported that net migration – the difference between people arriving and leaving – increased the UK population by 171,000 in the most recent year. That number is the smallest annual rise since 2012, excluding the Covid pandemic period. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged the drop but warned that “more to do” remains.

Key Facts - Burnham, Greater Manchester mayor and Labour by‑election candidate for Makerfield, said the trend is “significantly down” but insisted that net migration “needs to fall further.” - He praised Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s proposals to tighten settlement rules, calling the broad thrust “right” while noting the need to balance fairness and public‑finance concerns. - The Home Office projects that, without policy changes, about 1.6 million people could obtain indefinite leave to remain – the right to live, work and claim benefits – between 2026 and 2030. - On a separate issue, Burnham accepted the Supreme Court ruling that the legal definition of a woman under the Equality Act must be based on biological sex, saying the decision “has to be implemented” and urging that it not marginalise any group. - Burnham’s stance on single‑sex spaces has shifted after the Equalities and Human Rights Commission’s guidance, which mandates that changing rooms and toilets be used according to biological sex.

What It Means Burnham’s call for tighter migration controls aligns with Labour’s internal debate over the Home Secretary’s plan, which some MPs label “un‑British.” If the government adopts stricter settlement criteria, the projected 1.6 million new permanent residents could be cut dramatically, easing pressure on public services and housing. At the same time, Burnham’s acceptance of the Supreme Court’s definition of woman may shape Labour’s policy on gender‑specific spaces, a topic that has sparked controversy within the party.

The upcoming Makerfield by‑election will test whether Burnham’s dual focus on migration and gender policy resonates with voters. Watch for the Home Office’s final settlement reforms and the Labour leadership’s response to the Supreme Court ruling in the weeks ahead.