UK and Germany will face threats together, says Burnham in Berlin

The UK and Germany will face threats together, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said as he reaffirmed a series of defence and security partnerships.

On his first official European trip outside of Ukraine, Burnham was greeted with military honours in Berlin on Thursday and met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Speaking to reporters at the German capital's Federal Chancellery, the PM said both countries were facing hybrid attacks "on a regular basis" and "it makes sense" to take them on together.

The pair formally ratified the 2025 Kensington Treaty, a partnership committing both countries to tackle hostile activity.

Burnham said the treaty would "improve our security here in Europe" but also help grow the economy and living standards.

He added that the UK government would now "seek to progress" Germany joining Gcap, the Global Combat Air Programme led by Italy, Japan and the UK to develop a next-generation fighter aircraft.

He also announced partnerships on quantum technology and space - and said he was aiming to host a joint meeting of the UK and German cabinets next year.

The Berlin talks come after intelligence services warned of rising threats, including last month when Germany accused Russia of launching a drone fitted with explosives at Leipzig/Halle Airport.

Meanwhile, French finance minister Roland Lescure has invited Britain to "come all the way" back to the European Union, in an interview with the BBC's economics editor Faisal Islam.

Ahead of a UK-EU summit next month, Burnham said he was "very committed to securing deeper cooperation" and to "see if we can bring the UK closer to Europe".

He told reporters a closer relationship with Europe was in the interests of growth and tackling irregular migration.

In recent weeks he has mentioned the prospect of eventually rejoining the bloc.

A German government spokesman has said any future in-out referendum would be primarily a question for Britain, but that Berlin supports stronger ties between the UK and the EU.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Burnham said the UK and Germany were "joining forces to find, expose and disrupt" threats.

European leaders have warned the threat of hybrid attacks against Europe by Russia has intensified in recent weeks.