Prime Minister Andy Burnham is seeking specific agreements with the European Union covering emissions trading, youth mobility, and food and farming standards to help producers like Welsh lamb and shellfish exporters. Downing Street estimates these pacts could boost national gross domestic product by around £17bn, representing a 0.4% increase. To secure entry into European industrial initiatives and electricity markets, British negotiators are prepared to offer financial contributions, including infrastructure funds and up to £450m each year for discounted European student tuition. Even so, Burnham reaffirmed his adherence to Labour manifesto red lines that preclude rejoining the customs uni…
Key points
The UK government aims to lower food prices and assist domestic exporters by pursuing clo…: The UK government aims to lower food prices and assist domestic exporters by pursuing closer regulatory agreements with Brussels.
Labour remains committed to its manifesto red lines excluding any return to freedom of mo…: Labour remains committed to its manifesto red lines excluding any return to freedom of movement, the single market, or the customs union.
Continental leaders warn that Britain will not be permitted to cherry-pick single market…: Continental leaders warn that Britain will not be permitted to cherry-pick single market benefits without accepting the European Union's indivisible freedoms.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Andy Burnham has said the UK has “lost more than we gained” since leaving the EU, the prime minister’s latest in a string of comments criticising Brexit.
Outlining his desire to form closer ties with Brussels, Burnham accused the Conservative party of having “burned all our bridges” with the bloc after Brexit and said a new deal he hopes to secure with the EU next week will “get food prices down” and put more money in the pockets of British exporters.
The prime minister is due to meet European leaders at a summit next week and secure agreements that he says could raise GDP by 0.4% – about £17bn – including on food and farming, emissions trading and a youth mobility scheme. He will also “explore options” for a different long-term relationship with Brussels.
Speaking at the Welsh Labour conference on Saturday, Burnham said: “We need to be willing to take difficult decisions to get the cost of living down.
“It’s why, in a few days’ time, I will head to the next UK-EU summit and I will be working…
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