Andy Burnham warned EU migration wave could fuel Britain's housing shortage

Andy Burnham warned EU migration wave could fuel Britain's housing shortage The Prime Minister is warned any 'backsliding on freedom of movement by open-borders-Burnham would be a total betrayal of the Brexit vote' Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments By David Williamson , Chief Political Commentator 17:33, Thu, Oct 22, 2026 Updated: 17:42, Thu, Oct 22, 2026 Andy Burnham wants a closer relationship with the EU and has signalled major changes could be coming (Image: AFP via Getty) Pressure on Britain’s depleted rental market will intensify if Andy Burnham’s push for a closer relationship with the European Union makes it easier for foreign citizens to come to the UK, the Government has been warned. Any future deal that increases demand at a time of lower supply could cause “major turbulence”, according to a new analysis. Rental specialists LegalforLandlords warned that “supply remains below pre- Brexit levels”. It claims the average number of rental properties available has fallen by more than a fifth when compared to the period before the UK left the EU. Labour’s manifesto rules out a return to full free movement of people before the next election, but the Prime Minister has stated that full membership of the EU could be an option for the UK, and that he wants the country to return as a member state in the long term. A new deal with the EU will be thrashed out at a summit in Brussels on November 20, with a “new youth experience scheme” and “deeper co-operation on immigration” on the table. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT LegalforLandlords is warning about the “rental sector’s capacity to accommodate any additional demand arising from changes to migration and employment policy”. Chief executive Sim Sekhon said: “Closer ties with Europe could offer real benefits to the UK, particularly for industries such as construction that need access to skilled workers. But we also need to consider the wider housing implications. Get the latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . "If more people come to the UK to work, they will need somewhere to live. With rental demand already higher than it was before Brexit and the number of available properties significantly lower, we cannot afford to overlook the pressure this could create. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT "Addressing labour shortages and building more homes are important goals, but we also need a rental market with enough supply to support a changing workforce.” Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Richard Tice warned of the consequences greater competition for housing (Image: Getty) Mr Burnham told MPs this month that while the manifesto will be “fully respected” the “options that are available for the long-term relationship” must be examined and there are “no assumptions”. Deputy Reform UK leader Richard Tice said: “This Government is already light years off its fantasy 1.5million homes target. Now it wants to pile even more pressure on our broken housing market. "Any backsliding on freedom of movement by open-borders-Burnham would be a total betrayal of the Brexit vote and amplify the chaos mass uncontrolled immigration is already causing across Britain.” A government spokesperson said: "The best way to ease pressure on the housing market is to build more homes, which is why we’re boosting supply and investing £39billion in social and affordable housing. It is also wrong to suggest that a Youth Experience Scheme would be a return to 'freedom of movement'. It would be a targeted, time-limited, capped and mutual exchange scheme – offering young people in the UK the opportunity to live, work and study in the EU." Keir Starmer summoned to give evidence to grooming gangs inquiry | Politics | News | Express.co.uk Sadiq Khan sparks Brexit outrage with latest EU demand - 'catastrophic!' Andy Burnham Renting Richard Tice European Union Immigration Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments