UK Prime Minister signals openness to revisiting EU free‑movement rules

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he is prepared to have an honest discussion about restoring the European Union’s free‑movement rules, a comment echoed by Labour’s Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, according to Sky News.

What did the Prime Minister say?

He told reporters he is willing to consider an open debate on bringing back the EU’s free‑movement regime, but stopped short of promising any policy shift. Sunak framed the issue as one that merits a frank conversation, noting that the government must weigh the economic and social implications before deciding.

Why is free movement being debated now?

The topic has re‑emerged as the UK grapples with chronic labour shortages in sectors such as health care, agriculture and hospitality, while political parties gear up for upcoming elections. Since the UK left the EU in 2020, the free‑movement framework was replaced by a points‑based immigration system that restricts the automatic right of EU citizens to work and live in Britain. Critics argue that the new system has not delivered the promised skilled‑worker influx, prompting calls for a reassessment.

What could happen next?

Any move to re‑introduce free movement would require new legislation and likely a fresh round of negotiations with Brussels, meaning Parliament would have to approve any change. Opposition parties, including Labour, have signalled they would push for a more open approach, while the Conservative base remains divided over the political cost of loosening immigration controls.

The debate reflects a broader tension in post‑Brexit Britain: balancing sovereign control over borders with the practical need for a flexible labour market. Historically, free movement allowed millions of EU citizens to settle in the UK without a visa, a policy that was a cornerstone of the single market. Its removal marked one of the most visible changes of Brexit, and revisiting it would signal a significant shift in the UK’s relationship with the EU and its own immigration strategy.