A draft statement prepared by the bloc ahead of a UK-EU summit in Brussels this month outlines several demands, including financial payments as a condition for Britain’s access to the EU’s single electricity market, Anadolu Agency reported.
The document, seen by Sky News, says the EU expects an “appropriate level of financial contribution” from the UK to help reduce economic and social disparities between regions of the bloc.
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It also says both sides aim to “conclude these negotiations swiftly” so that Britain can access the market as soon as possible.
The bloc is also seeking a commitment from Prime Minister Andy Burnham not to proceed with plans to remove and deport European offenders to EU countries. The plans follow changes introduced this year allowing the Home Office to deport foreign nationals after they have been sentenced.
Burnham has defended efforts to strengthen ties with the EU, describing it as a “dereliction of duty” to ignore the opportunity to negotiate a new agreement with the bloc.
He has also said he has public backing for the approach, while promising that the “public will be the boss” on closer relations with the EU.
Asked whether Britain should accept EU influence over its food trade rules without having a say, Burnham said the upcoming summit offered an opportunity to boost economic growth.
“What’s facing me two weeks on Friday is a UK-EU summit where I have the opportunity to add to UK growth,” he told broadcasters.
He said closer cooperation could add up to 0.4% to the UK’s gross domestic product (GDP), adding that he believed the public would expect him to pursue the opportunity.
“We’re not in the EU, therefore, we do have to work with them in a different way,” he said.
In the 2016 Brexit referendum, a majority of British voters backed leaving the EU. The UK formally withdrew from the bloc on Jan. 31, 2020, following the signing of the withdrawal agreement.
