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.
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.
“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.
“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.”
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.”
Andy Burnham Warned EU Migration Wave Could Fuel Britain’s Housing Shortage
Britain’s housing crisis is once again at the centre of a heated political debate, with warnings that closer ties with the European Union could place additional pressure on an already stretched rental market. As Andy Burnham considers how far the UK should go in rebuilding its relationship with Brussels, housing specialists have raised questions about whether any increase in migration would be matched by enough new homes.
The concern is straightforward: if more people arrive in Britain to work, study or live, they will need somewhere to stay. In areas where rental properties are already scarce and rents are expensive, additional demand could intensify competition for accommodation. However, the overall impact would depend on the scale and composition of migration, the number of homes being built and the ability of the housing market to respond.
The debate has become particularly significant following Burnham’s renewed willingness to discuss the possibility of restoring freedom of movement with the EU. His comments have prompted criticism from political opponents, while housing specialists have called for migration policy and housebuilding plans to be considered together rather than as separate issues.
Why the rental market is under pressure
Britain’s shortage of affordable housing has developed over many years. In numerous towns and cities, demand for accommodation has outpaced the supply of suitable properties, leaving renters facing high costs, limited choice and considerable competition.
The situation is especially difficult for younger adults trying to leave the family home, workers moving to areas with better employment opportunities and families searching for properties close to schools or public transport.
Landlords and letting specialists have warned that the availability of rental homes remains a concern. LegalforLandlords has argued that the supply of rental properties remains below pre-Brexit levels, raising questions about whether the market could comfortably accommodate additional demand if migration patterns change. <Cite refs={[“turn236401search0″,”turn236401search1”]}/>
When several prospective tenants compete for the same property, landlords may be able to charge higher rents. This can leave people spending a larger share of their income on accommodation or force them to consider smaller properties, shared housing or longer journeys to work.
For households already struggling with living costs, even a modest increase in rent can have a significant effect on their monthly budget.
However, migration is not the sole explanation for Britain’s housing problems. Planning restrictions, construction costs, the availability of land, investment decisions and years of insufficient housebuilding have also contributed to the imbalance between supply and demand.
Burnham’s changing position on Europe
Burnham has argued that Britain should have an open and evidence-based discussion about its long-term relationship with the EU. In recent comments, he indicated that the possibility of returning to freedom of movement should be considered as part of a wider debate about economic cooperation and the future relationship with European countries.
The issue is politically sensitive because freedom of movement was one of the central subjects during the Brexit referendum campaign. Supporters argued that leaving the EU would give Britain greater control over immigration policy, while critics highlighted the benefits of European workers being able to move between countries for employment and other opportunities.
Burnham has acknowledged that the previous system created challenges but has suggested that migration involving people who come to Britain temporarily and later return home could be different from patterns associated with longer-term settlement.
He has also committed to respecting Labour’s manifesto position, which ruled out a return to full freedom of movement before the next general election. His recent remarks therefore concern a longer-term debate rather than an immediate announcement that the existing system will be replaced. <Cite refs={[“turn236401news11″,”turn236401search4”]}/>
That distinction is important. A discussion about possible future arrangements is not the same as a decision to reopen borders or introduce unrestricted migration. The details of any eventual agreement would determine who could move, for what purpose and under what conditions.
Could additional migration push rents higher?
The relationship between migration and housing is complex. When the population grows, demand for homes generally increases, all else being equal. If the number of available properties does not rise at a similar pace, the additional demand can contribute to higher rents and house prices.
A report commissioned by the Migration Advisory Committee examined international evidence on migration and housing costs in June 2026. It concluded that migration has contributed to housing pressures in Britain, particularly in circumstances where housebuilding has failed to keep pace with population growth. It also stressed that the effects depend on other factors and cannot be considered in isolation. <Cite refs={[“turn236401search2″,”turn236401search3”]}/>
The type of migration matters, too. Students may rent rooms in shared accommodation, while families may seek larger homes. Workers in high-cost cities may compete for properties close to employment, while others may settle in areas with different housing conditions.
The timing and location of migration can therefore be just as important as the national total. A relatively small increase in demand could have a noticeable effect in an area where rental availability is already extremely limited, whereas another area might be able to accommodate additional residents more easily.
At the same time, migrant workers can contribute to the construction sector and help address skills shortages. If those workers enable more homes to be built, their arrival may also increase housing supply and help reduce the pressures created by additional demand.
The final effect depends on the balance between these competing forces.
Political opponents raise the alarm
Burnham’s comments have attracted criticism from opponents who argue that Britain should not consider loosening immigration rules while the country is struggling to provide enough homes.
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has warned that closer ties with Europe could intensify competition for housing if migration increases without a corresponding expansion in supply. His criticism reflects Reform’s wider opposition to policies that it believes could lead to greater immigration.
Conservative politicians have also challenged the possibility of restoring freedom of movement, arguing that any major change would conflict with the public’s decision to leave the EU.
These objections have placed the government under pressure to explain how its European policy would interact with immigration controls and domestic housing plans.
Nevertheless, the political debate should distinguish between a proposed youth mobility arrangement, a targeted agreement allowing certain workers to move and a full return to freedom of movement. They are different policy options and would have different implications for migration and housing demand.
The government has described a proposed youth experience scheme as a limited, capped and reciprocal arrangement rather than a return to unrestricted movement. It has also argued that increasing the supply of homes is the most effective way to ease pressure on the housing market. <Cite refs={[“turn236401search0″,”turn236401search4”]}/>
The government’s housebuilding challenge
Labour has committed to increasing housing supply, including through a target of building 1.5 million homes during the parliamentary term. It has also announced £39 billion in funding for social and affordable housing.
Delivering more homes could help reduce the long-term mismatch between demand and supply, but targets and funding commitments do not automatically translate into completed properties. Projects can face delays caused by planning decisions, infrastructure constraints, shortages of construction workers and difficulties securing finance.
The government must also consider what kinds of homes are being built and where they are located. A rise in the total number of properties may not fully address the needs of renters if the new homes are too expensive, too far from employment centres or unsuitable for households looking for affordable accommodation.
Social and affordable housing is particularly important for people who cannot compete in the private rental market. Expanding that supply could help reduce pressure on lower-income households and provide more stable housing options.
There is a connection here with migration policy. If Britain wants to attract workers to support economic growth, it needs housing and infrastructure capable of accommodating them. Equally, restricting migration alone would not solve problems created by a long-standing shortage of affordable homes.
A coordinated strategy would examine population trends, local housing needs, construction capacity and the requirements of different industries.
What closer EU ties could mean for the economy
Supporters of closer relations with Europe argue that improved access to workers, markets and professional opportunities could benefit British businesses. Industries facing labour shortages may welcome arrangements that make it easier to recruit people with the skills they need.
The construction industry is one example. If employers struggle to find enough qualified workers, projects can be delayed and costs can rise. Access to skilled European workers could help some businesses expand their capacity, although long-term improvements would also require domestic training and investment.
Opponents, however, argue that relying too heavily on overseas recruitment can reduce incentives for employers to train workers already living in Britain. They also point to the possibility that increased population growth could intensify pressure on housing, transport and public services.
Both considerations deserve examination. The economic effects of migration depend on the skills people bring, the work they undertake, the services they use and the wider response of the economy.
The key question for policymakers is whether any proposed arrangement would deliver sufficient economic benefits while ensuring that housing and infrastructure can meet additional demand.
A debate that requires evidence, not assumptions
Britain’s housing shortage is too serious to be reduced to a single argument about immigration. Migration can add to demand, but the impact depends on where people settle and whether the supply of homes responds. Migrants can also contribute to construction and other industries that help expand the economy and housing capacity.
Burnham’s willingness to discuss the future relationship with the EU has reopened questions that remain politically sensitive years after Brexit. Before any major policy change, the government would need to explain its likely effects on migration levels, housing demand, wages, public services and economic growth.
It would also need to set out how housebuilding could keep pace with population changes and how affordable accommodation would be provided for people on lower incomes.
For renters, the immediate priority is practical: more suitable homes, greater affordability and a housing market that does not force families to devote an excessive proportion of their earnings to rent.
Ultimately, any decision about closer EU ties should be assessed alongside a credible housing strategy. If Britain seeks the economic benefits of a changing workforce, it must also plan for the homes that workforce will need. Without that coordination, existing pressures could intensify. With sustained investment and realistic planning, the country may be better placed to manage population changes while improving access to affordable housing for people already living in Britain.