UK Seeks Exemptions from EU’s “Made in Europe” Plan as Burnham Prepares to Meet Irish PM

The UK government is seeking exemptions from a European Union proposal known as the “Made in Europe” plan, according to a report by The Guardian, as diplomatic engagement between London, Dublin and Brussels intensified this week.

Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, is set to meet Ireland’s prime minister, according to the report, as part of a broader round of contacts between British and European officials. The same report said the chancellor would travel to Dublin to meet EU finance ministers.

The Guardian also noted that the prime minister would, for the first time, use No 10 North to host an overseas visit, though the report did not specify further details of that visit.

Separately, the report included a statement from Tom Watson, the former deputy leader of the Labour party, confirming he has taken a role with the technology company Palantir. In the statement, Watson said he was “terrifically excited to be joining the young Palantir team who make the tools that public service workers need to transform how they serve the British people.”

Watson said Palantir’s software could help reduce waiting times for hospital diagnosis, treatment and discharge, support military personnel in keeping the country safe, and assist police in tackling crime and corruption, according to the statement carried in the report.

The Guardian’s live coverage did not provide further detail on the scope or timing of the proposed EU exemptions being sought by the UK, nor on the agenda for the Burnham-Ireland meeting or the chancellor’s discussions with EU finance ministers. Further updates on these developments were expected as the diplomatic engagements proceed.