Andy Burnham makes yet another U-turn in Labour leadership shambles | Politics | News

Andy Burnham has made the latest U-turn by changing his mind on giving immigrants immediate access to British benefits. The Mayor of Manchester has previously spoken out against the long-standing policy which prevents immigrants from accessing benefits until they become permanent residents. But The Times reported that Mr Burnham’s team had made clear that they no longer stood behind the no-recourse-to-public-funds (NRPF) measure.

A spokesman for Mr Burnham told the newspaper: “Andy has made clear that he is aware that towns in this country want a fair immigration system and they want to know that the Government has control and that it is right to pursue root and branch reform. He believes strongly that we need control as well as compassion. Britain has always welcomed those who come here and contribute, and Greater Manchester is testament to that.”

It comes as the Mayor of Greater Manchester bids to return to Westminster in the Makerfield by-election.

If he wins, he is expected to challenge Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership.

But he faces a major challenge in the seat of Red Wall from Reform UK’s local plumber, Robert Kenyon.

The U-turn on immigration aid is the latest in a series of reversals that have seen Mr Burnham eye a return to Parliament in recent weeks.

He backed Home Affairs Minister Shabana Mahmood’s immigration reforms that will double the time it takes for migrants to qualify for indefinite leave to remain, after previously criticizing the revision.

He has withdrawn his support for rejoining the EU as he tries to win the Leave-voting Makerfield constituency.

He also now supports Chancellor Rachel Reeves, suggesting that her fiscal rules could be changed.

He also supported single-sex spaces guidance issued last week following the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling that the legal definition of woman is based on biological sex.