Burnham says UK and EU can strike ‘win-win’ deal at summit

Prime Minister Andy Burnham says he believes the UK and European Union can strike a “win-win” deal at a summit on 20 November, with potential agreements on food, energy and youth mobility among the issues under discussion.

Speaking after meeting European leaders in Ireland on Thursday, Burnham said closer ties could help cut prices for consumers and businesses and boost economic growth. He warned negotiations could “go down to the wire”.

The UK and EU have agreed a draft deal to remove post-Brexit checks on food and agricultural exports. Draft texts on emissions trading and a youth travel and work scheme have also been circulated to EU countries. The government says the proposed changes could eventually bring £5.1bn in annual benefits to the UK economy.

Burnham said he hoped the summit deal could be “more like the Brexit that people thought they were voting for” in 2016. He has argued that Brexit did “more harm than good”, but has ruled out major changes to the UK’s relationship with the EU before the next general election.

Labour’s 2024 manifesto ruled out rejoining the single market or customs union, or restoring freedom of movement. It also pledged to “make Brexit work” and reset relations with the EU. Burnham has said the longer-term options should be examined for their pros and cons.

The summit negotiations have drawn criticism from Conservative politicians. Former minister Priti Patel accused Burnham of risking economic damage, while the party has previously argued Labour’s EU reset would bring the UK back into the bloc “via the back door”. The Liberal Democrats have called the draft deal a “patch, not a fix”, saying the UK should rejoin the single market and establish a customs union. The Green Party has also backed a customs union, while Reform UK opposes alignment with EU rules.

Burnham said both sides were making requests in the negotiations, including on whether discounted university tuition fees for European students would be part of a deal. The summit is due to take place on 20 November.