Burnham defends EU deal worth 0.4% GDP growth at November summit

Summarised from 4 outlets · 9 reports · Updated 5 Nov, 11:21 · Archive

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said a deal with the EU could add 0.4 per cent to UK GDP, up from a previous estimate of 0.3 per cent.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham defended plans for closer trade ties with the EU, saying the public would expect the Government to seize the opportunity 'with both hands'. He was speaking as he attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua.

The Treasury has confirmed that agreements under negotiation ahead of a Brussels summit on 20 November could raise GDP by 0.4 per cent, up from a previous estimate of 0.3 per cent. 'A deal could add up to 0.4% to GDP. Now, that is a number that you cannot ignore,' Burnham said in an interview with The Economist.

Burnham wants to lock in deals on food and drink, emissions trading and a youth mobility scheme at the summit. Draft texts for a sanitary and phytosanitary agreement on food and drink, plus documents on emissions trading and youth mobility plans, have been circulated among EU member states ahead of the negotiations.

Asked whether it was acceptable for the UK to have its rules on food trade made by the EU without input, Burnham responded that the UK is 'not in the EU, therefore, we do have to work with them in a different way'. He argued that if the deals could generate growth, help farmers and remove red tape from businesses, the public would expect him to negotiate the best agreement possible.

Burnham also accused opponents of the deal of 'misreading the public mood' over Brexit, appearing to respond to criticism from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who has warned against reopening debates about Brexit. 'I sense, since conference, that there is an appetite to discuss it,' Burnham said. 'And those who are making the argument over don't open up this psychodrama are misreading the public mood in my view.'

Campaigners have argued that the deal should be a 'launch pad' for considering rejoining the EU, though Burnham has maintained Labour's manifesto red lines preventing agreements on free movement or rejoining the bloc, customs union or single market.

How it is being reported

• Andy Burnham's Brexit betrayal in full — from freedom of movement to a second referendumThe Prime Minister has signalled that he wants to change the Brexit deal agreed with Brussels by the Conservatives.Daily Express · 5 Nov, 14:00
• Britain has 'wasted' £5bn on post-Brexit border checks that will be useless when Burnham signs deal to take EU rules on food and drinkThe Prime Minister is poised to sign off on a series of agreements at a Brussels summit later this month as part of Labour's bid for closer ties with the bloc.Daily Mail · 5 Nov, 10:56
• New EU deal worth billions must be ‘launch pad’ to rejoin bloc, Burnham toldAs Andy Burnham prepares to reveal a deal worth 0.4 per cent of GDP, campaigners argue he must use it to persuade sceptics in Labour that the party needs to commit to rejoin the blocThe Independent · 4 Nov, 13:04
• Burnham boasts he is seizing EU deal 'with both hands' - as UK agrees to subsidise 'poorer' states, cut student fees, take Brussels rules, and let in 80,000 'youths' every yearThe Prime Minister claimed a package he is poised to sign off at a Brussels summit on 20 November would be an 'opportunity to add to UK growth'.Daily Mail · 4 Nov, 10:47
• Public will expect me to grab EU deal with both hands, Burnham claimsPrime Minister Andy Burnham defended plans to accept new trade agreements with Brussels which could boost GDP growth by 0.4%.Evening Standard · 3 Nov, 20:47
• Burnham says Britons would expect him to take up new EU deal 'with both hands'The public will expect the government to grab “with both hands” the opportunity to boost economic growth through closer trade ties with the EU , Andy Burnham has said.The Independent · 3 Nov, 20:22
• Public will expect me to grab EU deal with both hands, Burnham claimsPrime Minister Andy Burnham defended plans to accept new trade agreements with Brussels which could boost GDP growth by 0.4%.Evening Standard · 3 Nov, 20:10
• PM: EU deal could add 0.4% to GDP and critics have ‘misread the mood’The Treasury has confirmed that deals under negotiation could raise more than previously estimated, Andy Burnham said.Evening Standard · 3 Nov, 17:14
• PM: EU deal could add 0.4% to GDP and critics have ‘misread the mood’The Treasury has confirmed that deals under negotiation could raise more than previously estimated, Andy Burnham said.Evening Standard · 3 Nov, 16:30

In this story: Andy Burnham · Kemi Badenoch · European Union · UK · Brussels

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