Prime Minister Andy Burnham denied proposing a return to free movement in talks with the EU, saying any decision about the future relationship will be determined by the British people.
Burnham said in an ITV interview that he wanted an "honest discussion" about how leaving the EU had changed migration patterns. "I have not proposed freedom of movement coming back," he said. He noted that temporary migration from Europe had been replaced by longer-term settlement from other regions in larger numbers.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said on Monday she wanted to abide by Labour's manifesto, which ruled out free movement. She told Sky News that while there had been a loss of control over migration post-Brexit, the party remained "absolutely bound by the terms of our manifesto."
Burnham told ITV he believed public opinion had shifted on EU membership but said he would "not run ahead of public opinion. The public need to be the boss when it comes to whatever happens with Brexit." He committed to the red lines in Labour's manifesto for this parliament, ruling out a return to the customs union, single market or free movement.
The prime minister said the EU summit in November would cement deals on food and drink, emissions trading, and a youth mobility scheme. Discussions would then move to securing a long-term stable deal with the EU, with "all options on the table."
The Guardian reported that UK ministers were prepared to spend as much as £450m annually to give EU students discounted university fees if Brussels allowed the UK access to its Made in Europe industrial programme.
Immigration Minister Anna Turley told Sky she wanted to prioritise getting young British people into jobs and stopping illegal migration through small boats.