Former Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham’s recent endorsement of reinstating freedom of movement between the United Kingdom and the European Union has reignited debate over the policy’s economic and social impacts. Burnham, who previously criticized free movement for depressing wages and enabling multinational companies to exploit workers, now supports reopening discussions to restore the arrangement as part of efforts to forge a new relationship with the EU.

Freedom of movement, a cornerstone of the EU single market, allowed citizens of member states to live and work in other member countries without restriction. The issue became a focal point during the 2016 Brexit referendum, when concerns over immigration dominated campaign discourse. Critics argued that free movement compromised national sovereignty and placed strain on public services and housing.

Burnham had voiced opposition to free movement before, describing it as harmful to working-class communities and accusing large corporations of using it to drive down labor costs. In 2016, he asserted that the policy was undemocratic, as it was imposed by Brussels without direct voter approval and provided benefits mainly to multinational firms rather than to disadvantaged populations.

However, some commentators in recent months have suggested that the significance of free movement may have diminished. They point to narrowing wage disparities between the UK and Eastern European countries, which could reduce the incentive for citizens from those countries to migrate. This argument implies that reintroducing freedom of movement might not bring the same scale of migration experienced previously.

Yet, estimates remain uncertain. Prior to Brexit, the UK government initially assessed the number of EU nationals living in Britain at three million, only to later revise the figure to approximately six million. This raises questions about how many migrants would return if freedom of movement were restored.

Concerns also persist over capacity in housing and public services. The UK government has acknowledged it will fall short of its target to build 1.5 million new homes before the next general election, raising doubts about where new arrivals would be accommodated. Additionally, the government is actively seeking to increase employment among over one million young people not currently in education, employment, or training. The prospect of an influx of mostly young, trained EU workers could complicate these efforts, potentially heightening competition in the labor market.

Supporters of Brexit emphasize that regaining full control over immigration policy was a key factor in the referendum outcome, rejecting claims from some former Remain advocates that Brexit constituted severe economic self-harm. They argue that reintroducing freedom of movement could place greater strain on the country’s infrastructure and labor market, exacerbating challenges rather than alleviating them.

As discussions continue, policymakers will need to weigh the economic benefits of closer ties to the EU against the practical implications of managing migration and supporting domestic workers. Burnham’s shift highlights the ongoing complexity and sensitivity of immigration policy in post-Brexit Britain.