- Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, is reportedly backing Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's stringent efforts to crack down on immigration.
- Sources close to Burnham's team indicate he wants to 'reframe' the changes but supports attempts to limit legal and illegal migration, aiming to win over Reform UK supporters.
- The move comes ahead of a by-election in Makerfield, where Reform UK is expected to pose a significant challenge, having previously labelled Burnham 'open-borders Andy'.
- Home Office reforms include increasing the default qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain to 10 years, restricting benefits and social housing eligibility, and potentially requiring those granted asylum to leave if their country becomes safe.
- This stance is seen as crucial for Burnham's political future, with some suggesting he aims to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership if he returns to Westminster.
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