UK and EU officials to discuss freedom of movement options

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 10:02 · Archive

British and EU officials are discussing options for the future UK-EU relationship, including free movement, ahead of an EU summit scheduled for 20 November. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told the BBC that officials on both sides are expected to begin discussions about a range of options, and that no "assumptions" had been made about what the future relationship could look like.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he wants an "honest discussion" about the prospect of returning to free movement and has left the door open to a potential referendum on the issue. However, he has been clear that any major changes to the UK-EU relationship would require a mandate at a general election, which is due by 2029. The prime minister has also insisted he will not "move ahead of the public" or "dictate" his own beliefs, and has vowed to stick by the red lines in Labour's 2024 manifesto for the duration of this parliamentary session.

Downing Street has insisted the government's current focus is on achieving new deals at the summit. These include an agreement on food and drink standards, known as a sanitary and phytosanitary agreement, and a youth mobility deal to ease some trading restrictions. Reynolds said the changes announced at the summit, including a food and drink deal and agreements on emissions trading, would make a significant difference.

Reynolds said the prime minister "had made it clear he wanted to see a long-term and stable relationship with the bloc" and would "be frank with the British people about what the trade-offs are" after the summit. The prime minister has also ruled out rejoining the EU within this Parliament.

How it is being reported

• Burnham and Farage in angry Brexit bust-up as UK and EU officials to begin freedom of movement talksThe Prime Minister is pushing for far closer ties with the European blocEvening Standard · 27 Oct, 10:00
• UK and EU officials to discuss freedom of movementOfficials are expected to begin discussions on a range of options for the future UK-EU relationship before a summit next month.BBC Politics · 27 Oct, 09:55
• UK officials discussing free movement with EU ahead of summit, says ReynoldsBusiness secretary says focus for November summit will be trade and youth mobility, but talks will also include ‘future options for relationship’ UK politics live – latest updates British officials have begun discussions with the EU about a long-term relationship that could include a return to free movement, the business secretary has said, promising the British people “are the boss” when it comes to what the UK will accept. Jonathan Reynolds said the focus for British negotiations was the EU summit in November to seal an agreement to ease some trading restrictions and a youth mobility deal.…The Guardian · 27 Oct, 09:41
• Britain ‘in talks with EU’ about return to freedom of movementBritain is reportedly discussing a series of options for closer alignment with the bloc, ahead of a crucial UK-EU summit next monthThe Independent · 27 Oct, 08:20

In this story: Andy Burnham · Jonathan Reynolds · European Union · United Kingdom

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