Prime Minister Andy Burnham told MPs he will seek new post-Brexit agreements with the European Union at a summit scheduled for next month, focusing on youth mobility, food and drink standards, and energy cooperation.
Burnham said deeper cooperation on these issues would drive economic growth in the UK. He claimed potential agreements could add the equivalent of £10 billion per year to the economy by 2040. The prime minister cited specific trade barriers: Scottish salmon faces a 100% document check rate at borders, costing around £100 million in lost exports annually. British burgers and fresh meat products cannot be sold in the EU. Seed potatoes from Scotland and shellfish from Wales remain banned.
Burnham said a fresh agreement would "ease the pressure on prices in the supermarket" and that an energy deal involving emissions trading could cut wholesale energy costs by 20% in Northern Ireland. He also said securing arrangements could help tackle smuggling gangs through rebuilt information-sharing with EU police and security agencies.
The prime minister warned that the EU's Made In Europe plans posed "a risk to UK manufacturing" and said he was in talks to reach "an arrangement" that worked for Britain. The EU proposals aim to protect EU industry from Chinese competitors.
Burnham stated Labour's manifesto commitments against returning to the single market, the customs union, or freedom of movement would remain in place until the next election. However, in interviews after Labour conference, he did not rule out a new manifesto that could include rejoining the EU.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Burnham of "unpicking" the deal the UK signed with the EU. She said the prime minister had revealed his entire negotiating position before talks began and would not secure a better agreement than the Conservatives achieved. Conservative Nigel Huddleston pointed out that existing post-Brexit trade deals with countries like the US and India may complicate new EU arrangements due to contractual clauses.