Burnham government seeks deeper EU ties, minister confirms

Hamish Falconer, the new UK cabinet minister for EU reset talks, has stated that the Labour government under Andy Burnham seeks a deeper and more ambitious relationship with the European Union. Falconer confirmed that while the government maintains its red lines against rejoining the single market or customs union, it intends to pursue closer cooperation on services. This includes potential visa-free travel for workers and the mutual recognition of qualifications, areas where Falconer believes there is significant room for progress.

The upcoming reset summit, previously postponed following Keir Starmer’s resignation as prime minister, is now expected to take place in October. The delay allows time for detailed negotiations, particularly regarding a youth mobility scheme that has stalled over disputes concerning university fees for EU students. Falconer, who returned from his honeymoon when offered the post, has already spoken to EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and hopes to bring a renewed pace to the talks.

A key priority for the negotiations is resolving the youth mobility deal, which would allow tens of thousands of young people to live and work in each other’s territories. Talks have remained deadlocked due to the UK’s reluctance to allow EU students to pay the lower fees charged to UK students, a position opposed by cash-strapped universities. Falconer emphasised that the deal must account for financial pressures on the university sector, noting that his constituency in Lincoln includes two universities and that he is mindful of these constraints.

Falconer stated he would apply Burnham’s “Makerfield test” to the negotiations, ensuring they deliver tangible benefits for ordinary citizens struggling with the cost of living. He described his approach as seeking the “art of the possible,” drawing on his experience as a former Foreign Office negotiator and Middle East minister. He highlighted shared values on security, defence, and climate issues, such as wildfires, as part of a broader European agenda beyond trade.

EU diplomats have expressed concern that previous talks under Starmer lost momentum, with critics suggesting the UK failed to create sufficient political space for a deal. Falconer acknowledged the need for Downing Street support to provide this political space and to flesh out Burnham’s foreign policy. He argued that Britain remains a significant part of the wider European agenda, particularly in addressing challenges such as Russian aggression in Ukraine and shared environmental threats.