Andy Burnham Supports Shabana Mahmood’s Immigration Crackdown

HuffPost UK can reveal that the PM-in-waiting will vote for the Immigration and Asylum in the Commons tonight.

That is despite more than 80 Labour backbenchers writing to Burnham warning him the party is “losing progressive voters” because of Mahmood’s hardline stance.

The new law would double the time most migrants have to wait before becoming eligible for indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

It will also require asylum seekers to pay back some of their taxpayer-funded hotel bills.

Sources close to Burnham said he backed the bill, which he believes would make the immigration system fair for both asylum seekers and local communities.

A spokesperson for the Makerfield MP said: “Andy believes the public deserve an asylum system that is both compassionate and credible.

“This bill takes important steps towards restoring confidence by tackling illegal crossings while strengthening safe and legal routes for genuine refugees.

“This is about ensuring the system is fair both to those seeking protection and to the communities that welcome them.”

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.