New EU industry rules would damage UK, warns Burnham
Andy Burnham warns that the EU's proposed Industrial Accelerator Act could harm the UK, ahead of talks with Ursula von der Leyen at the UN summit in New York.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Andy Burnham warns that planned EU manufacturing rules could damage British industry and supply chains.
- The Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) aims to protect EU firms from Chinese competitors via public contract priorities.
- Burnham is set to discuss the issue with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the UN in New York.
- The UK leader emphasizes that his immediate priority is rebuilding EU ties and boosting the British economy.
Andy Burnham has issued a strong warning that upcoming European Union industrial regulations could severely impact the United Kingdom. Speaking ahead of a scheduled meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Burnham highlighted potential risks to British supply chains and manufacturing sectors.
The proposed policy, formally designated as the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) and often referred to as the 'Made In Europe' scheme, is designed to shield EU industries from Chinese competitors. It plans to achieve this by granting companies located within the trade bloc priority access to public contracts and state subsidies. However, British officials remain deeply concerned about how these restrictive measures will isolate UK businesses.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Burnham noted that he expects to find common ground with European leaders, pointing out that both the UK and EU member states suffer similar economic pressures, particularly regarding the steel industry. He also mentioned that Europe's car manufacturing sector has urged regulators to include the UK in the scheme to prevent severe supply chain disruptions across the continent.
The European Union's pursuit of the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) highlights a broader global trend toward industrial protectionism, heavily driven by the need to counter low-cost manufacturing competition from China in sectors like automotive and green tech. For the UK, operating outside the EU single market means facing the structural disadvantage of local preference rules and public subsidy exclusions. Negotiating carve-outs or cooperative frameworks is therefore vital for British economic interests, especially as Westminster attempts to stabilize post-Brexit diplomatic ties.
Regarding the delayed annual EU-UK summit—which was postponed following Sir Keir Starmer's resignation as prime minister in July—Burnham expressed optimism that the high-level meeting will take place later this year. Discussions are expected to focus on practical economic agreements and youth mobility requests from Brussels, while wider questions regarding a potential return to the EU remain on hold for the future.
Source: BBC Politics
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