Andy Burnham has given a cutting response to Nigel Farage’s attack on a Manchester scheme which helps refugees access housing, benefits and public services.

In a divisive post on X, Farage claimed that a £700,000 Greater Manchester Authority scheme that helps refugees who have been granted asylum proves “Andy Burnham is for them, not for you”. 

In a move that seemed to mimic Donald Trump’s use of AI slop, the Reform leader also shared an AI-generated image of refugees on a boat smiling and holding signs with the slogan ‘Vote Andy For Us’. 

Responding to Farage’s attack, Burnham wrote: “Are you getting desperate, lad? Maybe keep your crypto millions for something else.”

The Labour mayor and Makerfield by-election candidate also responded to a post on Reform’s X account, which shared the same image and slogan, stating: “Getting worried? Desperate stuff even by your standards.”

Farage then responded with a link to a Telegraph article about the initiative, claiming: “Your scheme will provide housing and benefits to people who came here illegally.

“I prefer to put the British people first.”

A Survation poll of voting intentions in the upcoming Makerfield by-election on 18 June puts support for Burnham at 43%, three points ahead of Reform’s Robert Kenyon on 40%.

Safe Transitions is a Refugee Lodging Scheme, designed to prevent homelessness among newly recognised refugees and support long-term independence and integration.

Seeking asylum is a fundamental human right under Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and is also protected by the 1951 Refugee Convention.

Despite Farage and the Right saying refugees come to the UK “illegally”, individuals fleeing persecution, war, or severe harm have the legal right to cross international borders to seek safety. 

Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward

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