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Burnham to unveil new UK-EU deal at Brussels summit on 20 November
The agreements on food checks, emissions trading and youth visas would reset post-Brexit ties, a shift with business and government implications.
What happened
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to unveil a deal with the European Union at the end of the month, worth 0.4 per cent of UK GDP. The Independent The deal would strip away border checks on food and drink, introduce a new youth mobility scheme and create a closer working partnership with the bloc. The Independent Draft texts on a new agrifood agreement, an emissions trading link and youth visas have been largely concluded and are going through the EU's approval process. Politico Europe The emissions trading deal would exempt both sides from each other's CBAM carbon border taxes. Politico Europe Negotiations began under Keir Starmer and were delayed over the summer after the collapse of his premiership. Politico Europe
Around it
Burnham has kept Labour's manifesto red lines, which rule out agreements on free movement or rejoining the EU, customs union or single market. The Independent Louise Haigh, standing in at Prime Minister's Questions, said the Brexit deal Labour inherited had damaged the UK, and Burnham was warned the new deal should be a launch pad for reversing Brexit. The Independent
What comes next
Burnham plans to use the EU summit in Brussels on 20 November to launch a discussion on options for the UK beyond the next election, with rejoining the bloc possibly a manifesto pledge. The Independent Brussels and London will also negotiate a joint statement covering other parts of the relationship. Politico Europe
Sources
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