Andy Burnham has refused to say legal immigration is too high at 171,000 a year – insisting it is ‘planned’.
The PM said the level of net migration had ‘come right down’ and was in a ‘much better place’ – suggesting the numbers were needed for ‘gaps in the economy’.
The remarks, in an interview with ITV, come despite the latest official figures showing 1.7million people unemployed, and another nine million of working age inactive.
Long-term immigration reached a record of 944,000 in 2023, but has since fallen dramatically. The Tories have argued that is because of curbs they put in place.
Speaking to ITV Tonight for a documentary about his first hundred days, Mr Burnham was asked if he believes ‘immigration is too high’.
‘I believe the numbers crossing in boats is too high, for certain,’ he replied.
Andy Burnham has refused to say legal immigration is too high at 171,000 a year – insisting it is ‘planned’
Pressed for his view on legal migration, the premier said it had ‘come right down’.
Reminded that it had still been a net 171,000 in 2025, Mr Burnham said: ‘I think when you have planned migration, it’s difficult to say is it too high or too low, because it’s got to be, if you like, following gaps in the economy.
‘Because if you just put a number on it, then we may have a shortage in a certain area, and then you’re saying well we can’t recruit people, it’s got to be linked to whether the economy is.’
Pushed whether he was suggesting legal immigration was ‘in a good place’ or still needed to come down, Mr Burnham said: ‘It’s in a much better place than it was because boat crossings are down and net migration overall is down and down quite significantly.
‘So there’s a much better control of it. What I have argued is that migration and illegal immigration changed significantly with Brexit. And I think we’ve got to be honest about that.’
Shadow home secretary Chris Phil said: ‘Andy Burnham can’t say if migration is too high or too low.
‘Let me help him out. It’s still way too high.
‘Mass low skilled migration has to end completely. We have nine million economically inactive adults in the UK. How about toughening up welfare so some of them get into work?’
