Mayor Andy Burnham has cautioned that the European Union’s proposed industrial policies pose a significant risk to the United Kingdom, warning that the measures could disrupt British manufacturing and supply chains. The remarks come ahead of his scheduled meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during the United Nations summit in New York.
The EU initiative, officially known as the Industrial Accelerator Act but branded as “Made In Europe,” is designed to shield European manufacturers from Chinese competition. The proposals would grant companies based within the bloc priority access to public contracts and state subsidies. However, the UK government has expressed concern that the scheme could inadvertently harm British industry.
Burnham emphasized that the UK is seeking collaboration rather than confrontation. “We are making the argument that ‘let’s avoid collateral damage’,'” he told reporters. He noted that member states share the UK’s position, stating, “Europe’s argument is not with us,” and highlighted shared concerns regarding the steel industry on both sides of the channel.
Tensions surrounding the proposed scheme have reportedly contributed to delays in the planned EU-UK summit. The meeting had already been postponed following the resignation of former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in July. While the EU’s automotive sector has urged the inclusion of the UK to prevent supply chain disruption, the political negotiations remain stalled.
During the flight to the United States, Burnham declined to rule out a pledge for the UK to rejoin the European Union in the Labour Party’s next manifesto. He described the question as one for “another day,” asserting that his immediate focus remains on repairing relations and securing a practical agreement to boost the economy. This follows a shift in tone from Burnham, who previously described Brexit as “damaging” and stated last year that he hoped to see the UK return to the EU within his lifetime.
When asked about the potential for associate membership—a status recently suggested for Canada—Burnham noted that the EU had made it clear such an option was not currently available to the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, the EU’s new ambassador to the UK, Jukka Salovaara, stated at the Liberal Democrat conference that the door remains open for deeper cooperation, leaving the decision to the British public.
Burnham also used the platform to address broader democratic challenges, promising that his speech to the UN General Assembly would reflect on the decade since the Brexit vote. He warned against external actors seeking to manipulate facts and influence the British democratic process, calling for the country to become more resilient in the face of such interference.
Supply chains don’t respect borders. If the UK is excluded from subsidies, it hurts everyone involved in European manufacturing.
Rejoining the EU? Really? I thought that was buried under years of Brexit rhetoric. Sounds like political desperation to me.
Finally, someone is addressing the real economic risks. These EU rules could devastate British manufacturers if not handled carefully.