Burnham retreats from earlier call to end immigration benefits restriction
The Story
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has stepped back from his previous calls to scrap a rule preventing immigrants from claiming benefits, as he campaigns in the Makerfield byelection. According to a report from The Guardian, Burnham had repeatedly urged the government to end the “no recourse to public funds” (NRPF) policy, including signing a 2023 letter and a 2019 statement. His spokesperson now says Burnham recognises the need for a fair immigration system with control.
Key Facts
- The NRPF rule, in place since 1999, blocks immigrants from accessing benefits or public housing before gaining settled status.
- In 2023, Burnham joined a joint letter with all Greater Manchester borough mayors urging the then-Conservative government to change the NRPF rules to provide a “minimum safety net” for non-UK nationals at risk of homelessness.
- In 2019, Burnham’s mayoral website stated that one response to homelessness should be to “abolish the no recourse to public funds policy”.
- A spokesperson for Burnham said he “recognises that towns across this country want an immigration system to be fair” and that “we need control as well as compassion”.
- Burnham has backed the home secretary Shabana Mahmood’s controversial immigration changes, saying “the broad thrust of what she is doing is right” but calling for “real” consultation on settled status rules.
- The byelection in Makerfield is seen as a direct contest with Reform UK; Burnham presented his campaign as “a vote to change Labour”.
Conflicting Reports
No conflicting reports identified in the source article.
Still Unclear
Whether Burnham would fully abandon the NRPF repeal if he becomes prime minister, and what specific changes to the settled status rules he supports.
Misconceptions
No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.
Key Figures
- Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester mayor and Labour candidate for Makerfield byelection
- Shabana Mahmood, home secretary
- The Guardian (source outlet)
Sources: The Guardian
