Prime Minister Andy Burnham has told GB News that he is determined to eradicate the problem of migrants crossing the Channel in small boats – but would not commit to achieving that before the next general election.
He also said that the poorest communities in the country should not be expected to accommodate all refugees and asylum seekers.
Burnham told GB News’ Political Editor Christopher Hope: “Well, I know people will have been worried to see that [mega dinghy] image yesterday. It shows that the gangs are changing their tactics, but so will we.
“We will now change our tactics, and we will be relentless in chasing them down. I said that when I visited Dover just over a week ago, and I meant it, and I was there to change the conversation.
“The deal that we put in place, the payment by results deal, has created a change. There is more law enforcement on the other side of the Channel in summer 2026 than there was last summer, and that has led to quite a reduction in the number of crossings. But that’s not good enough.
“People will say to me, ‘We don’t want any crossings’. I understand that concern. There are further things that we are doing, and we will keep going at this issue until we deliver that eradication that people are looking for.”
Asked if that would happen before the next general election, he said: “It would be wrong, I think, for me to make a prediction now based on a timeline. I’d rather promise to people what I know I can do and what I know I can deliver, and that is a relentless focus on this issue to deal with the public concern.
“I heard it on doorstep after doorstep in Makerfield, and I said to the people there, and I say it to the country, I hear what you say. I will be completely focused on the issue. There are more measures that we’re bringing through, but crossings are down. Immigration is down. There is real progress to report.”
On the concerns raised by people living in Piddington in Oxfordshire over housing migrants there, Burnham said: “I will listen to what people are saying and respond to the concerns that they are putting forward. I don’t know the issue yet in detail, but in some ways, as I understand it, it is about creating secure space and not having the HMO issues that you were talking about earlier.
“It’s obviously going to be challenging, but I am prepared always to listen to people, to work with people, and to pick up legitimate concerns. And I will address those concerns. I do have to say, we cannot have a situation where it’s only the poorest communities in the country that receive all of the dispersal of refugees and asylum seekers. I do believe all parts of the country need to work to play their part.
“It’s a challenging issue. We’re working at it. We understand people’s concerns, and I will look into the issues raised by the good people of Piddington.”
