Stories

Thu, 08 Oct 2026

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 'Come all the way' back to EU, French finance minister tells UK

Roland Lescure tells the BBC that being in the bloc enables members to better address the challenges facing the world.

* French finance minister Roland Lescure has invited the UK to "come all the way" back to the EU, after Labour's Prime Minister Andy Burnham signalled a second Brexit referendum was possible.
* Lescure said being in the EU comes with some difficulties but enables members to better address global challenges.
* Burnham recently expressed concerns about planned EU rules that could damage UK industry and supply chains.
* Lescure suggested that if the UK rejoins, it will have a seat at the table for discussions on these issues.
* In an interview with the BBC, Lescure also discussed French domestic matters, including student protests over school conditions.
* He acknowledged that France's budget deficit is "alarming" and said he needs to act now to avoid being forced to do so later.
* Lescure promised further investment in education but said some cuts will be made, including to health spending and pension rises.