Prime Minister Andy Burnham is hosting Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin at No 10 North in Manchester today. This marks the first occasion Burnham has used No 10 North for an overseas visit. According to No 10, the visit is part of Burnham's strategy to highlight areas of the UK outside London, following recent meetings with the Canadian Prime Minister in Liverpool and the Nato Secretary General in Oxford.
Talks between Burnham and Martin are expected to focus on shared objectives, including boosting trade, supporting Ukraine, and collaboration with the European Union during Ireland's EU presidency. Following their formal meetings, the two leaders are scheduled to visit an Irish community centre.
Concurrently, Chancellor John Healey is in Dublin for an informal meeting of Ecofin, where he will advocate for UK exemptions from the EU’s “Made in Europe” procurement laws. Treasury sources indicate Healey will urge the EU to implement these rules in a way that “lands a good deal for all” rather than “erecting new barriers.”