Andy Burnham has said the UK would be open to Germany joining its sixth-generation fighter jet programme as he sought deeper ties with the EU’s most influential member state during a visit to Berlin.
The UK prime minister said that he used a discussion with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to stress his willingness for Germany to become part of the Global Combat Aircraft Programme.
“That is something that we seek to progress in the coming period, working with our other partners Italy and Japan,” Burnham added after the collapse of a Franco-German fighter jet project left Berlin searching for new partners.
He also outlined a new partnership countering so-called hybrid attacks, as part of an effort to intensify security and defence co-operation between “the biggest economies in Europe, the two biggest investors in defence”.
Burnham views Merz as a potential ally as he prepares to set out “options” for closer UK relations with the EU ahead of a summit between the two sides in Brussels next month.
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Andy Burnham meets German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Thursday
The prime minister told Merz that “all options are available” for the UK — including Britain applying to rejoin the 27-member bloc — according to one British official.
Merz, unlike French President Emmanuel Macron and Spain’s Pedro Sánchez, did not publicly endorse a British return to the EU. But he told Burnham he would offer “any support he could” to help improve the relationship.
Merz said that, despite Britain having “unfortunately” left the bloc, Berlin was eager to pursue “friendship and bilateral co-operation” and wanted to use a treaty signed last year by the two countries to open up new opportunities.
He added that he was “truly delighted” to welcome Burnham to Berlin.
Burnham has said he will discuss Britain’s long-term options ahead of the November summit and then try to forge a national “consensus” ahead of the next election, which must take place by summer 2029.
Burnham also used the Berlin talks to seek Merz’s support in his attempt to stop Britain being hit by new rules to protect the EU against competition from China.
One British official said UK concerns about the Brussels “Made in Europe” policy — intended to favour EU companies in procurement and subsidy regimes — came up “in the context of shared challenges from unfair trade practices”.
The prime minister said last month that Made in Europe, part of a proposed Industrial Accelerator Act being drawn up in Brussels, risked inflicting “collateral damage” on the UK, including hurting cross-Channel supply chains.
Germany has often pressed to include the UK in EU programmes, pushing back against Paris, which contends that such agreements should be reserved for member states only.
The act will set local content and low-carbon requirements for public procurement and green subsidies. Berlin is advocating for a broad “trade partner” approach.
On Thursday France’s finance minister Roland Lescure told the BBC he wanted Britain to “come all the way” and rejoin the EU. “Come back, any time,” he said.
Asked about French opposition to Britain to being a full member of the Made in Europe programme, Lescure said: “If the UK was part of Europe they would be at the table discussing that right now. Come back and you will be at the table and we can discuss all those things together.”
Additional reporting by Anne-Sylvaine Chassany in Berlin