Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said it is time for an “honest discussion” about freedom of movement with the European Union, in his clearest comments yet on one of the biggest questions in the UK’s future relationship with Europe.
Speaking to The Sunday Times ahead of his 100th day in office, the Prime Minister said the debate needed to be “very factual” and “evidence-based”. He described migration under the old rules as “generally younger people, not always, but spending a few years, then going back”, and said that “the ease of that worked for British people as well”.
“I think we’ve just got to have an honest discussion about those things.”
He also pointed to what the UK lost on migration when it left the EU, including “the ability to be part of Eurodac and all the data collaboration around migration”, and said freedom of movement should be seen “in the round, rather than just looking at freedom of movement on its own”. He said he could not see himself recommending joining the euro or the Schengen area.
The comments come ahead of the UK-EU summit in Brussels on 20 November, where the Prime Minister will meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and has said he will set out options for the UK’s long-term relationship with Europe. You can read more in ITV News’ report.
What freedom of movement actually means
Freedom of movement is simple. It means people have the right to live, work and study in other European countries without needing a visa. It covers the 27 EU countries, plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
It is not unconditional. After three months, people need to be working, studying or able to support themselves. And it is not the same as Schengen: Ireland has freedom of movement, but still checks passports at its borders.
It works both ways
Something that often gets missed is that freedom of movement is not just about people from Europe coming to the UK. It is about British people having those same rights across Europe.
Before Brexit, around 1.3 million people born in the UK were living in other EU countries. Since the UK ended mutual freedom of movement with the EU on 1 January 2021, most British people can only spend 90 days in any 180 in the Schengen area, and need a visa to live or work there.
Imagine being able to take a job in France, start a business in Germany or retire to Spain without needing a visa. Or imagine our young people having the freedom to build their futures across Europe. That is what freedom of movement can offer: more choices, more opportunities and more freedom.
Good for our economy
Freedom of movement can help the economy too. UK businesses could find it easier to recruit the people they need for the jobs we are desperate to fill, such as essential care workers. According to Skills for Care, the number of care workers recruited from overseas fell from 50,000 to around 30,000 in the last year, after visa restrictions came in.
UK workers could access more jobs, and businesses could find it easier to work and grow across Europe. That means more opportunities for workers and businesses on both sides.
More than an immigration debate
Freedom of movement is not just about immigration. It is about the freedom to choose where you live, where you work and where you build your future.
The Prime Minister is right that the UK needs an honest, evidence-based discussion. We welcome him opening it up, and we will keep making the case for the benefits freedom of movement can bring to people in every part of the UK.
That freedom could belong to all of us if this government matches our ambition to join the European Union by 2036.
Want to know more? Read our full explainer on freedom of movement, and add your name to back our ambition for the United Kingdom to join the EU by 2036.