Burnham meets German chancellor Merz in Berlin to launch joint sabotage and cyber security partnership

From the Newshound archive · first published 8 October 2026.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has held talks with German chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin, with the UK and Germany pledging to work together against foreign sabotage, cyber attacks and hybrid threats. The visit marks the formal launch of a new bilateral security partnership between the two countries. Burnham also set out his domestic agenda, including removing VAT from electricity bills to save households around £45 this winter.

The UK-Germany partnership is aimed at countering state-backed hybrid threats including sabotage operations and cyber attacks against critical infrastructure.

Burnham's domestic blitz this week also includes capping bus fares at £2, banning subscription traps and cutting business rates for pubs and music venues.

His government is also pressing ahead with the Oxford-Cambridge development corridor, signalling a major infrastructure push alongside the energy and security announcements.