Andy Burnham has rolled back from his previous calls for ministers to scrap a restriction on immigrants claiming benefits as the Makerfield byelection places greater scrutiny on his policy positions.

As Greater Manchester mayor, Burnham has called several times for an end to the rule known as no recourse to public funds (NRPF), which since 1999 has prevented people moving to the UK getting access to benefits or public housing before they are granted settled status.

The system can be a significant driver of homelessness, as those who lose their job or suffer another setback are ineligible for any official support, and can often end up sleeping rough.

In 2023, Burnham signed a joint letter with the mayors of every Greater Manchester borough, urging the then-Conservative government to take action to stop a surge in homelessness due to the planned closure of so-called bridging hotels, temporary accommodation used mainly to help resettled Afghan nationals.

The letter, among its wider demands to help end rough sleeping, asked for the NRPF rules to be changed so that non-UK nationals in this situation who faced homelessness would be given “at least a minimum safety net”.

In 2019, in a statement on his mayoral website calling for more efforts to combat homelessness, Burnham said one response should be to “abolish the no recourse to public funds policy”.

A spokesperson for Burnham said: “Andy’s been very clear that he recognises that towns across this country want an immigration system to be fair and they want to know that the government has control – and it is right to pursue root and branch reform.

“He strongly believes we need control as well as compassion. Britain has always welcomed those who come here and contribute and Greater Manchester is testament to that.”

It is understood that if he wins the byelection and subsequently replaces Keir Starmer as prime minister, Burnham will re-examine such policies and how best to tackle rough sleeping, one of the priorities of his mayoralty.

The change of stance follows Burnham’s decision last week to back controversial changes to the immigration system being pushed through by the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood.

Speaking to reporters in Makerfield last Friday, Burnham said he had heard people’s concerns about immigration on the doorstep, and that while “the broad thrust of what [Mahmood] is doing is right”, there could be some changes.

This was particularly the case on changes to rules on granting settled status, which some Labour MPs argue are punitive and unfair, especially as they will affect some people already in the UK.

He said: “I think the consultation needs to be real on that issue, because I know there have been concerns raised by members of parliament.”

Burnham’s views on migration are under scrutiny as he faces what appears to be a direct fight against Reform UK for Makerfield, just outside Wigan.

Formally launching his campaign last week, Burnham presented it as a barely coded pitch for him to replace Starmer if he returned to Westminster, saying a vote for him to become the MP there was “a vote to change Labour”.