Andy Burnham responds to President Donald Trump’s migrant crisis warning: ‘Progress is being made!’

Andy Burnham has issued a response to President Donald Trump’s warning that the migrant crisis was “killing” the UK.

Speaking to reporters, the Prime Minister insisted “progress is being made” but “more is needed”.

In the Oval Office last night, GB News’s Bev Turner asked the US leader if he felt Mr Burnham had avoided addressing the topic of immigration in his first weeks in office.

“He's going to have to mention it because it's killing your country,” Mr Trump told The People's Channel.

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“They're invading Europe,” he warned, adding: “It's an invasion, and the UK is a prime suspect.”

Responding to Mr Trump’s comments, the Prime Minister defended Labour’s approach to the issue despite more than 1,600 migrants breaking into Britain over the English Channel since he took office.

“When it comes to the wider issues around the channel and immigration, obviously there are crossings this week,” he began.

“But overall, if you look at the picture in 2026 compared to last year, there is significant progress in terms of reducing the number of crossings, the number of people coming over.

“But there is much further to be done to get the grip on the issue that we require.

“The Home Secretary is applying that grip, and I am grateful to her, but more is needed to get those numbers right down.

“The removals are up, though, and this is another part of the story that people need to understand.

“Progress is being made on all fronts, but more is needed,” Mr Burnham said.

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The Prime Minister also addressed comments made by President Trump about opening up the North Sea for oil and gas extraction.

Referring once again to his first call with Mr Burnham, the US leader declared: “He said he’s going to open up North Sea oil.”

“You have one of the most valuable oil finds anywhere in the world.

“If the United Kingdom would use it, they'd be a wealthy country again. And I'll tell you what. I could not get (Sir Keir) Starmer to use it.”

Mr Burnham, in turn, confirmed he had told Mr Trump that the UK would investigate opportunities in the North Sea.

“I indicated in the phone call that we had a week last Monday, that I would take a pragmatic approach when it comes to the North Sea.

“That is my intention as we go forward from here.

“There is a resource there. When people are struggling, you can't ignore that, and hence me indicating that to the president,” the Prime Minister said.

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