Burnham links Brexit to migrant crisis

Prime Minister Andy Burnham blamed Britain's migrant crisis on Brexit, arguing that leaving the EU had left the UK with weaker control over immigration.

Why the small boats crisis exists

Burnham said the small boats crisis arose because the UK cannot return people in the same way it used to be able to do under EU rules.

“The reason the small boats crisis has arisen is because we can't return people, and people know we can't do that in the same way that we used to be able to do.”

The scale of Channel crossings

More than two hundred thousand migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel since data began on January first, twenty eighteen.

Record year for arrivals

The record for the largest number of migrants to arrive in the UK in a calendar year is forty five thousand seven hundred seventy four, set in twenty twenty two.

Recent decline in crossings

In the first six months of twenty twenty six, the number of people arriving by small boat fell forty one percent and the number of boats fell forty seven percent compared to the previous year.

Burnham wants EU rejoin in lifetime

The prime minister said he wants to see Britain rejoin the European Union in his lifetime, but will not move ahead of the public or dictate the outcome.

“In my lifetime I would like to see that happen, but I am not going to move ahead of the public; I am not going to dictate.”

No changes this parliament

Burnham ruled out returning to EU freedom of movement rules without a referendum and said he is not proposing any changes in this parliament.

“I'm not proposing any changes in this parliament. I'm not going to move away from the red lines that were in the Labour manifesto.”

UK holds EU alignment talks

The Times reports the UK is holding talks with the EU about options for closer alignment, including potential return to free movement, before Burnham opens a conversation with the British public.