The European Union is requesting more money and asking the UK to scrap plans to deport foreign prisoners as part of reset negotiations, leaked papers show.
A draft statement prepared by the EU ahead of the key reset summit with the UK in Brussels this month has revealed the bloc’s demands, as Andy Burnham sets his sights on a closer relationship with the bloc.
The paper, seen by Sky News, shows that the EU expects “appropriate level of financial contribution towards reducing economic and social disparities between the regions of the EU” from the UK in order to begin trading in the EU's single market for electricity.
It says both the UK and Brussels hope to “conclude these negotiations swiftly” so Britain can access the market “as soon as possible”.
The EU is also insisting that Mr Burnham “commits not to proceed with... removals and deportations” of European offenders to EU countries following changes brought in this year, which allow the Home Office to deport foreign nationals once they have been sentenced.
A source told the broadcaster that the British government would not agree to this demand. It is understood that these requirements have not yet been approved by member states.
The document also only agrees to “a dialogue on economic security… to limit negative effects on one another” regarding concerns that the UK could be caught in the trade tariffs crossfire between the EU and China.
Responding to the paper, shadow home secretary Chris Philp told the broadcaster: “Labour has been caught offering foreign criminals a get-out-of-jail card because the EU doesn't like Britain deporting them.
“British prisons are bursting at the seams, with taxpayers are picking up the bill, yet Labour is more interested in keeping Brussels happy than getting foreign criminals out of our country. It is an absolute betrayal of common sense.”
He added that the "next Conservative government will deport every foreign criminal”.
The prime minister has said it would be a “dereliction of duty” to ignore an opportunity to seek a new deal with the EU and insisted that he had the public’s backing.
However, he has also promised that the “public will be the boss” on forging closer ties with the bloc.
Asked if he believed it was acceptable for the UK to have its rules on food trade made by the EU without any input, Mr Burnham told broadcasters: “What’s facing me two weeks on Friday is a UK-EU summit where I have the opportunity to add to UK growth.
“It’s estimated up to 0.4 per cent extra on GDP.
“I think people in Britain would expect me to take that with both hands, given where we’ve been in recent times, and that’s what I’m doing.
“We’re not in the EU, therefore, we do have to work with them in a different way.
“But if that can get growth, if that can help our farmers, if that can remove red tape from British businesses, I think most people would expect me to go to that summit and negotiate the best deal that I can.”
The prime minister had earlier told the Economist magazine that the Treasury had confirmed in recent days that agreements under negotiation ahead of a summit later this month could raise GDP by 0.4 per cent – up from the previous estimate of 0.3 per cent.
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