As reported on 8 October 2026, the UK and Germany committed to a counter-hybrid threat partnership aimed at hostile activity including cyber-attacks, sabotage and threats to critical infrastructure. Prime Minister Andy Burnham was due to travel to Berlin that day for talks with Chancellor Friedrich Merz, their first face-to-face meeting.

Downing Street said the two countries would jointly identify and disrupt hybrid activity, share information and coordinate monitoring, deterrence and disruption. It said the partnership was intended to degrade hostile actors' capacity to operate in Europe and build resilience. The leaders were also expected to discuss support for Ukraine, instability in the Middle East and disruption to trade routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, and to convene a UK-Germany Regional Growth Forum with British and German chief executives.

The announcement said the measures built on the 2025 Kensington Treaty, formally ratified that day. It also described Germany as the UK's second largest trading partner, contributing some £155 billion to the UK economy.