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Andy Burnham has expressed concerns that upcoming EU regulations designed to support European manufacturers may negatively impact the UK. During his meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Burnham emphasized the potential consequences these policies could have on British industry and supply chains. The proposed rules intend to shield EU businesses from competition, particularly from China, by prioritizing companies within the bloc for public contracts and subsidies.
Burnham raised these concerns while attending a UN summit in New York, discussing with von der Leyen how the new framework could affect UK interests. He refrained from committing to a pledge on rejoining the EU in Labour’s next manifesto, describing that as a matter for the future. His current focus remains on mending relations between the UK and the EU and securing an agreement that would stimulate the British economy.
The Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), also known as the Made In Europe scheme, is still under development. EU car manufacturers have advocated for the inclusion of the UK to maintain seamless supply chains. However, disagreements over the plan have reportedly caused further delays to this year’s planned EU-UK summit, which faced postponements following Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation as prime minister in July. Burnham highlighted that the UK’s stance has backing from a number of EU member states, stressing that the UK and Europe face shared challenges, particularly in steel production. He urged that collateral damage from the Made In Europe scheme should be avoided, saying, “We are not your enemies here… we are not the problem.”
Prior to delivering his speech at the UN General Assembly, Burnham reflected on the decade since the Brexit referendum, citing external interference aimed at manipulating and distorting facts within the UK democratic process. He called for a more proactive approach to counter such influences moving forward. Regarding the prospect of rejoining the EU, Burnham reiterated his priority is the upcoming UK-EU summit, emphasizing the importance of building on the progress made under Keir Starmer’s leadership to restore broken ties and advance practical agreements benefiting the British economy.
At the same time, Jukka Salovaara, the EU’s new ambassador to the UK, indicated that while the EU remains open to cooperation, it is ultimately up to the British public to decide their preferred level of engagement with the bloc. Burnham previously expressed a personal desire to see the UK rejoin the EU in his lifetime but noted that revisiting Brexit debates currently would be unproductive. He also addressed suggestions that the UK could seek a form of associate membership similar to that proposed for Canada, stating the EU has made it clear such a status is not available to the UK
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