Overview
- The prime minister told The Sunday Times on Saturday that he wants an honest, evidence‑based debate about readopting freedom of movement because migration patterns are different now than in the 2000s.
- Burnham said the review will consider a range of options up to single‑market membership or full EU rejoining while stopping short of Schengen or adopting the euro.
- Major General Duncan Capps told MPs the UK would "very much like" access to Eurodac, the EU biometric database used to link asylum claims and share migration data, and officials say the UK lost some migration data links after Brexit.
- Opponents accused Burnham of betraying the 2016 Brexit vote with Nigel Farage calling it a "total betrayal" and shadow ministers warning the move would hand back border control, while some Labour figures fear electoral backlash.
- The government plans to use the November 20 Brussels summit to seek sectoral cooperation and to set out longer‑term options but any change would face legal and operational limits and likely need a clear democratic route such as a manifesto pledge or referendum.