Second EU-UK Summit Set For 20 November

The date for the second EU-UK Summit has been set for 20 November.  Last Monday afternoon, the date was confirmed by the European Council, European Commission and the UK Prime Minister when Andy Burnham made a statement to the House of Commons.

In his statement, Burnham said the Summit presents an opportunity to make progress on two crucial issues: boosting UK growth, and controlling illegal immigration.  Specifically. discussions would include:

• A trade deal on food and drink products.
• A deal on emissions trading.
• Progress towards linking energy systems.
• UK involvement in the EU Youth Exchange Programme.
• Deeper co-operation on immigration.

The first four items were on the table for the first Summit in May 2025 but there inclusion in the second Summit indicates the problems that have occurred during detailed discussions.  For instance,  the Youth Exchange Programme has hit problems in agreeing the numbers involved in the Programme and whether a EU university student should pay the fees for domestic students, or those paid by overseas students.   To argue that EU students should pay a full fee seems to be going against the spirit and principles of the programme

The length of time taken to reach agreement could reflect the cautious approach of the Starmer Government.  If the pace of agreement quickens, it will indicate a more confident approach from  the Burnham Government.

In the Commons, Burnham stated that “Together, these deals will add the equivalent of over £10bn per year to the UK economy by 2040, with the potential to add significantly more. We should not turn our backs on this opportunity.”

Burnham also outlined many of the problems in exporting food and drink products to the EU. He pointed out that “At present, entire truckloads of plants or fresh produce can be destroyed because of a single missing stamp or a minor paperwork delay. Fresh meat and fish spoil while waiting in trucks, and tonnes of exports have to be written off. Our largest food export, Scottish salmon, faces a 100% rate of document checks at the border, costing us around £100 million in lost exports. British burgers and other fresh meat products cannot be sold in the EU. Seed potatoes  and shellfish are banned.”

In terms of immigration, progress could be made on restoring UK access to EU and Interpol databases on immigration . A test of the new Burnham approach will be whether the Summit will further broaden the debate.

The UK Prime Minister also wants to discuss the proposed ‘Made in Europe’ legislation.  If the UK is excluded from the legislation, it could have a major effect of parts of British industry such as the car industry.  ‘Made in Europe’ is a key part of the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA.)  This legislation has been published in draft form and still has to be agreed by the European Council.  In view of this process, it seems unlikely that the European Commission would wish to debate the issue at the meeting.  However, it is important that the UK Government outlines it concerns to the Council, Commission and Member States.

In previous speeches, the UK Prime Minister has aid that he wishes to lay out the UK options of a deeper relationship with the European Union.  It is not clear how this will be done.  Will it be an agenda item of a paper laid before the Summit for future discussion?  What is clear is that this Summit should be a key event in a new relationship between the UK and the EU.