Politics · United Kingdom · 9 hrs ago
Burnham to seek new post-Brexit deals at UK-EU summit
Prime Minister Andy Burnham says he will seek new agreements with the European Union at a summit next month.
He told MPs that closer cooperation on areas such as food and drink, energy and youth mobility could help the UK economy.
The proposed deals aim to reduce some trade and work-related difficulties that have followed Brexit.
Burnham says the agreements could bring economic benefits, but he has not proposed returning to the EU single market or customs union, or restoring freedom of movement.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch says he is weakening the deal the UK made with the EU.
The debate is also unfolding amid a dispute over Burnham’s claim that Russia interfered in the Brexit referendum; the government says it is not questioning the referendum result.
Burnham says any future changes to the UK’s relationship with the EU would need public backing.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he would seek new post-Brexit agreements with the EU at a summit next month.
He said closer cooperation on issues including food and drink, energy and youth mobility could support UK economic growth.
Burnham said the agreements would not change Labour’s commitments against rejoining the single market or customs union, or restoring freedom of movement, before the next election.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused him of “unpicking” the deal the UK signed with the EU.
Burnham said any future changes to the relationship would require public backing.
- Who
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.
- What
- Burnham plans to seek new post-Brexit agreements with the EU. Badenoch says his approach risks undoing the existing deal.
- When
- Burnham made the statement on Monday, 12 October 2026. The UK-EU summit is next month.
- Where
- The statement was made to MPs in the House of Commons. The summit is in Brussels, according to the Evening Standard.
- Why
- Burnham said closer cooperation could support economic growth and reduce trade frictions.
Andy Burnham
Kemi Badenoch
Purpose of closer EU cooperation
Andy Burnham
Burnham says new agreements could support growth and reduce trade frictions.
Kemi Badenoch
Badenoch says Burnham is unpicking the deal the UK signed with the EU.
Negotiating prospects
Andy Burnham
Burnham wants to pursue agreements at the summit and says future changes should have public backing.
Kemi Badenoch
Badenoch says the EU will not offer a better deal and accuses Burnham of revealing his negotiating position.
Burnham told MPs he would seek new post-Brexit agreements at the UK-EU summit next month.
The UK-EU summit is due to take place, with agreements including food and drink and energy among those Burnham said would be on the table.
- Proposed summit
- November 2026
- Proposed food and drink, energy, and immigration agreements
- BBC
- Potential economic contribution
- Equivalent of £10bn per year by 2040, according to Burnham
- Labour’s stated Brexit commitments
- No return to the single market, customs union, or freedom of movement before the next election
What people are saying
sticking with the status quo is not good enough for Britain
it would be a "dereliction of duty" to turn away from the chance to cut bureaucracy
He is not going to get a better deal.
At every stage, the British public will be the boss
Sources
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