Burnham scrambles to revive stalling EU 'reset' bid in talks with Irish PM - as Brussels plays hardball on trade and youth free movement

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By JAMES TAPSFIELD, UK POLITICAL EDITOR

Published: 08:30 BST, 18 September 2026 | Updated: 08:33 BST, 18 September 2026

Andy Burnham is scrambling to revive his EU 'reset' today as Brussels plays hardball on trade and free movement.   

The PM is set to meet his Irish counterpart Micheál Martin at so-called 'No10 North' in Manchester this morning.

The agenda will include the planned EU-UK summit - which has been delayed from July and now might not even happen before Christmas.

Meanwhile, Chancellor John Healey will join EU finance ministers in Dublin, where he will urge them not to shut the UK out of a protectionist 'Made in Europe' scheme.

Mr Burnham has told European leaders he has 'ambitions' for getting closer ties with the bloc, and previously used to argue for rejoining. 

However, talks have run into the same obstacles as under Keir Starmer, with Brussels adamant Britain would have to accept EU rules and contribute financially to reduce friction at borders.

There are tensions over a proposed youth free movement scheme and demands for students to get discounted tuition fees in England.   

Andy Burnham is scrambling to revive his EU 'reset' today as Brussels plays hardball on trade and free movement

The PM is set to meet his Irish counterpart Micheál Martin (pictured) at so-called 'No10 North' in Manchester this morning

So far the Government has insisted it will not break 'red lines' on rejoining the single market and customs union, despite pressure from unions and Labour MPs. 

Ahead of their meeting today, Mr Martin said it was an opportunity to 'inject further momentum' into the partnership between the two governments.

Issues up for discussion will include addressing the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

The Taoiseach added: 'We will also discuss how best to work in partnership to sustain the overall success of the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts in the time ahead.

'Our discussions will also cover EU and international issues, including Ireland's current presidency of the Council of the EU and the next EU-UK Summit, and the situation in Ukraine, Gaza and the Middle East more broadly.'

At the Ecofin meeting, Mr Healey is set to warn that the 'Made in Europe' procurement drive should not 'erect new barriers' with the UK. The scheme is intended to protect the continent's manufacturing from global competition, especially from China.

The Chancellor will also tell his counterparts it is important to 'learn lessons' after the collapse of talks on the prospect of the UK joining the EU defence loans scheme, security action for Europe (Safe).

Chancellor John Healey will join EU finance ministers in Dublin, where he will urge them not to shut the UK out of a protectionist 'Made in Europe' scheme

Mr Healey said: 'The next chapter of Britain's growth story will be written in more places.

'To me, closer ties with the EU means British businesses – wherever they are based across the UK – get better access to both the supply chains and the customers they need to grow.'

Mr Burnham told French president Emmanuel Macron earlier this month that the 'buy European' programme 'could pose significant challenges' for UK industries, including steel.