Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated he seeks an "honest discussion" regarding the impact of Brexit on migration, though he denied plans to propose a return to freedom of movement at an upcoming international summit. The Prime Minister's comments, made in late October and early November 2026, indicated that while he believes Brexit has caused "more harm than good," any return to pre-Brexit movement agreements would require a national referendum.
The current debate follows a period of shifting migration patterns since the United Kingdom left the European Union. In 2026, Burnham noted that the UK had lost certain immigration controls, specifically citing the absence of a returns agreement for small boats and a shift from "revolving door" EU migration to more permanent settlement by non-EU arrivals. The government previously tightened visa rules in 2024 and 2025 by raising salary floors to £38,700 and banning most dependents, which contributed to a decrease in net migration.
According to official statistics, net migration reached a peak of 944,000 in the year ending March 2023, largely driven by non-EU arrivals. Since the implementation of tighter visa rules, that figure has fallen to approximately 171,000. Researchers at Oxford University's Migration Observatory noted that while European migration is now negative—with more EU nationals leaving the UK than arriving—routes have expanded for international students and healthcare recruits from countries such as India and Nigeria.
For EU citizens, the change would remove the requirement to meet the current £38,700 skilled-worker salary threshold or pay visa fees to work in the UK. However, the scale of this impact remains limited by political timelines. Prime Minister Burnham has stated he will adhere to manifesto pledges regarding Brexit "red lines," meaning formal work on a freedom of movement plan is unlikely to begin until after the next general election, scheduled for 2029 at the latest. Any such change would also be subject to a public vote through a referendum.
In the immediate term, the government is reportedly exploring smaller, targeted mobility agreements. These include a two-way youth mobility scheme proposed by the European Commission for individuals aged 18 to 30. While a full return to the European Single Market would require lengthy negotiations with EU officials, these smaller deals may be discussed at upcoming summits later in November 2026. Until such agreements are reached, the points-based immigration system and existing travel restrictions remain in effect for all European nationals and UK travelers.
What happens next: The Prime Minister is scheduled to attend an international summit later in November 2026. While he has ruled out a formal proposal for freedom of movement at these talks, discussions regarding targeted mobility schemes remain possible. A general election is not expected until 2029.