Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced Tuesday that he will advocate for new post-Brexit agreements with the European Union at an upcoming summit, aiming to enhance economic growth through deeper cooperation on key sectors.

Burnham's initiative signals a potential shift in the UK's relationship with the EU, focusing on pragmatic economic benefits rather than broader political integration. The Prime Minister stated that closer collaboration on issues such as youth mobility, food and drink standards, and energy trading could significantly benefit the UK economy.

In a statement to MPs, Burnham highlighted that these new deals could add the equivalent of £10 billion annually to the UK economy by 2040. He also expressed concern over the EU's "Made In Europe" plans, warning they could pose a risk to British manufacturing and stated he is in discussions to secure an arrangement favorable to the UK. These EU proposals are designed to protect European industry from Chinese competition but could inadvertently impact British businesses and supply chains.

The Prime Minister emphasized that while he is open to negotiating a closer relationship, the Labour Party's core manifesto commitments—not rejoining the single market, customs union, or freedom of movement—will remain in place until the next general election. He described the immediate priority as securing a successful outcome at the November summit, followed by establishing a "serious dialogue" on long-term relationship options, with public opinion guiding the approach.

This push for new deals comes after previous efforts to smooth post-Brexit trade friction. In May 2025, a deal was struck to allow continued access for EU fishing boats to UK waters until 2038, in exchange for reduced checks on UK food exports. This renegotiation allowed the return of products like raw burgers and sausages to the EU market for the first time since Brexit, addressing issues like the spoilage of fresh produce due to minor paperwork delays and costly document checks on exports such as Scottish salmon.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized Burnham's approach, suggesting he is attempting to dismantle the existing Brexit agreement. However, the Prime Minister's focus remains on economic advantages, particularly cooperation on illegal immigration and trade, which are expected to be central to the government's messaging regarding a closer EU relationship.

The 2020 Brexit withdrawal agreement allowed for regulatory divergence between the UK and the EU, a necessary step for negotiating independent trade deals. However, this divergence created significant hurdles for UK food exports, particularly concerning differing food standards and complex border checks.

The upcoming summit is expected to feature several specific agreements, including those related to food and drink, energy trading, and coordinated efforts on immigration. Burnham argued that rejecting opportunities to cut bureaucracy would be a "dereliction of duty," pointing to instances where entire truckloads of goods are lost due to minor administrative issues or delays.