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2026-09-30 18:12:00Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated that the United Kingdom's return to the European Union could be one of the options the government will consider in the context of improving relations with Europe.

Speaking on the BBC's "Today" programme, a day after his speech at the Labour Party conference, Burnham said the government should consider various options, from maintaining the current relationship to a deeper rapprochement with the EU.

"We can stay where we are. That's definitely an option, if people think that's where we should stay," he said.

Burnham also mentioned the possibility of returning to a customs union, an idea previously supported by former Conservative Chancellor George Osborne, as well as a rapprochement with the European single market.

"Or we can go all the way," Burnham said, referring to the possibility of full reintegration into the European Union.

According to him, "there are clearly options that need to be considered" and decision-making should be based on what is feasible, assessing the costs and benefits of each alternative.

The statements come after a major speech by Burnham at the Labour conference, where he laid out a broad political programme for Britain and spoke of a long-term relationship with Europe.

Changes in the pension mechanism

Burnham has also defended his plan to change the mechanism known as the "triple lock" for state pensions, rejecting the portrayal that the government is scrapping it.

The current system provides for pensions to increase each year at the higher rate of inflation, wage growth, or 2.5%.

Under the new formula, after 2030 pensions will typically increase in line with inflation or by 2.5%. If this is not enough to maintain the average wage increase since the policy was introduced, a different formula will be used to make up the difference.

Burnham said it is about an "adjustment" of the mechanism and not its removal.

The change is expected to reduce costs, as the current system can create a chain effect: a large increase in salaries in one year is reflected in pensions in subsequent years.

"We don't have much room" for cost-of-living measures

On the cost of living crisis, Burnham said the government is considering ways to ease the pressure on families, but warned that public finances limit the scope for intervention.

He mentioned the decision to remove VAT from electricity bills, which he said would come into effect on Thursday, as well as a £2 cap on bus fares over the next year.

"We don't have much room for maneuver," Burnham said, adding that the government will also try to help businesses that are facing rising costs.

Energy and the risk of a new crisis

Burnham also acknowledged that Britain could face an energy crisis during the winter.

Asked about the statement by Simone Rossi, the head of the energy company EDF, that Britain is approaching another major energy crisis, Burnham said that this was not an exaggeration.

"The situation is very challenging" for people buying fuel or heating their homes, he said.

Burnham said the government is considering "every possible measure" to help families, including the possibility of canceling a planned fuel tax increase next year.

However, he stressed that any measure must be affordable by the budget.

"The question is how much we can afford and what we can do given the state of public finances," the prime minister said.

He added that the government does not want to make unfunded payments that could create further pressure on mortgage loans.


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