Burnham says voters should decide Brexit as he denies proposed return to EU freedom of movement in UK politics
Burnham on immigration and Brexit
Burnham said immigration patterns had changed since the Brexit vote. He said shorter-term migration from Europe, followed by people returning, had been replaced by larger numbers settling in the UK for longer.
He said he had not proposed a return to EU freedom of movement and argued that the public should have the final say on any changes to Brexit. Burnham said voters “need to be the boss” on the issue.
Mahmood defends revised settlement rules
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said changes to settlement rules would mean roughly half a million people who had been expected to settle after five years would not do so. She described the measures as significant despite changes to her earlier plans.
The revised rules are less strict than those Mahmood announced last November. The article describes the changes as a U-turn and says she made two significant concessions in interviews recorded the previous evening.
Savings remain uncertain
Mahmood said the changes, including longer waits for some care workers not working in care, would produce billions in savings for the Department for Work and Pensions. She said an impact assessment would set out the figures.
When asked about a claim that the concessions could cost about £7.5bn, Mahmood did not dispute it and said an assessment would be published in due course. She also did not deny that Burnham had effectively prompted her to change her plans.
Badenoch rejects regulatory alignment
Kemi Badenoch said dynamic alignment with EU regulations was a red line for her. She argued that following EU rules would give up the ability to make laws independently, which she described as a central freedom gained by leaving the EU.
Badenoch also said the UK should improve trade agreements with countries around the world and build closer ties with allies without treating EU membership as the only route. She criticised the government for being too reluctant to use the freedoms available after Brexit.
Key points
- Burnham said he had not proposed a return to EU freedom of movement.
- He said voters should decide what happens with Brexit.
- Mahmood said roughly 500,000 people would no longer settle after five years.
- Badenoch called dynamic alignment with EU regulations a red line.