Key facts
- UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham warned that proposed EU rules to aid European manufacturers would damage the UK.
- The EU proposals aim to protect bloc industry from Chinese competitors via priority for public contracts and subsidies.
- Burnham expressed concern over the impact on British industry and supply chains and will raise the issue with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
- Burnham declined to rule out committing to rejoining the EU in Labour's next manifesto, stating it is an issue 'for another day.'
- Burnham's immediate priority is rebuilding the UK's relationship with the EU to boost the British economy.
- The EU's 'Made In Europe' scheme, or Industrial Accelerator Act, is yet to be finalized.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has warned that proposed European Union rules designed to bolster EU manufacturers could negatively impact British industry and supply chains. Speaking ahead of a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Burnham expressed concern over the 'Made In Europe' scheme, formally the Industrial Accelerator Act, which aims to give companies within the bloc priority for public contracts and subsidies to counter Chinese competition.
Burnham stated that he would raise these concerns with von der Leyen during a UN summit in New York, emphasizing that both the UK and Europe suffer similar effects, particularly concerning the steel industry. He argued that the UK is not the problem the 'Made In Europe' initiative seeks to address and that collateral damage should be avoided.
When asked about the possibility of the UK rejoining the EU, Burnham reiterated that it is an issue 'for another day,' with his immediate focus being on rebuilding the relationship with the EU and securing practical agreements to boost the British economy. He noted that his predecessor, Keir Starmer, had done good work in rebuilding bridges between the UK and the EU.
The EU's ambassador to the UK, Jukka Salovaara, previously indicated that while EU doors remain open, the decision on deepening cooperation rests with the UK public. Burnham has previously acknowledged Brexit as damaging but advised against re-running those arguments at present. The proposed EU scheme has reportedly contributed to delays in the planned EU-UK summit.