Leaked EU draft statement seen by Sky News shows the bloc is demanding the UK commit to providing an appropriate level of financial contribution and to scrap plans to deport European offenders, as negotiators prepare for a key reset summit in Brussels later this month. A source said the British government would not agree to the request on deportations.
The papers, seen by Sky News, show the EU expects a financial contribution to reduce economic and social disparities between EU regions as a condition for UK access to the single market for electricity. The EU also insists Prime Minister Andy Burnham commits not to proceed with removals and deportations of European offenders to EU countries, following changes this year allowing the Home Office to deport foreign nationals after sentencing.
Responding to the paper, shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: “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 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”.
Burnham has said it would be a “dereliction of duty” to ignore an opportunity to seek a new deal with the EU and promised the “public will be the boss” on forging closer ties. He told broadcasters it was estimated that the summit could add up to 0.4 per cent to GDP, which he said people would expect him to take with both hands. The document also agrees only 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.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The EU's demands reveal the price Brussels is setting for closer ties, including a financial contribution and abandoning a key sovereignty measure on deportations.
- The issue of deporting foreign prisoners is politically sensitive in the UK, with prisons overcrowded; the EU's stance could fuel opposition to the reset.
- The outcome of the summit will determine the direction of UK-EU relations and potential economic gains for the UK.
Background
The UK and EU are negotiating a reset in relations after years of strained ties following Brexit. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has made seeking a new deal a priority, with Treasury estimates suggesting agreements could boost GDP by 0.4 per cent. The UK recently introduced changes allowing the deportation of foreign nationals after sentencing, which the EU now wants halted.
Key Perspectives
- EU: In leaked papers, demands an "appropriate level of financial contribution" from the UK to reduce regional disparities, and insists the UK commit not to proceed with removals and deportations of European offenders.
- UK Government (source): The British government would not agree to the demand on deportations.
- Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp (Conservative): Accused Labour of "offering foreign criminals a get-out-of-jail card" and said the party is more interested in pleasing the EU than protecting the public.
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham: Called the chance to negotiate a new deal a "dereliction of duty" to ignore, and said the public would be the boss on closer ties; the summit could add up to 0.4 per cent to GDP.
What to Watch
- The outcome of the UK-EU summit later this month, including whether a deal on electricity market access is reached and on what terms.
- How the UK government responds domestically to political backlash over the deportation demand.
- The next steps in negotiations, including potential concessions by either side.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.
Show each claim
- Partly supportedPhilp said: “British prisons are bursting at the seams, with taxpayers picking up the bill”.The Independent UK: ““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.””
- SupportedThe leaked papers say the EU wants a UK financial contribution and a commitment not to deport European offenders to EU countries.The Independent UK: “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.”
- SupportedA source said the British government would not agree to the deportation demand.The Independent UK: “A source told the broadcaster that the British government would not agree to this demand.”
- SupportedThe EU expects a financial contribution towards reducing disparities between EU regions as a condition for UK access to the single market for electricity.The Independent UK: “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.”
- SupportedThe EU insists Burnham commit not to proceed with removals and deportations of European offenders to EU countries.The Independent UK: “The EU is also insisting that Mr Burnham “commits not to proceed with... removals and deportations” of European offenders to EU countries”
- SupportedChanges brought in this year allow the Home Office to deport foreign nationals once they have been sentenced.The Independent UK: “following changes brought in this year, which allow the Home Office to deport foreign nationals once they have been sentenced.”
- SupportedPhilp said Labour had been caught offering foreign criminals a “get-out-of-jail card” and called it “an absolute betrayal of common sense”.The Independent UK: ““Labour has been caught offering foreign criminals a get-out-of-jail card because the EU doesn't like Britain deporting them. ... It is an absolute betrayal of common sense.””
- SupportedPhilp said the next Conservative government would deport every foreign criminal.The Independent UK: “He added that the "next Conservative government will deport every foreign criminal”.”
- SupportedBurnham called it a “dereliction of duty” to ignore an opportunity to seek a new EU deal and promised the “public will be the boss” on closer ties.The Independent UK: “The prime minister has said it would be a “dereliction of duty” to ignore an opportunity to seek a new deal with the EU ... he has also promised that the “public will be the boss” on forging closer ties with the bloc.”
- SupportedBurnham said the summit was estimated to add up to 0.4 per cent to GDP.The Independent UK: ““It’s estimated up to 0.4 per cent extra on GDP.””
- Partly supportedBurnham said people would expect him to take the potential GDP gain with both hands.The Independent UK: ““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.””
- SupportedThe document provides only for a dialogue on economic security to limit negative effects, amid concerns about UK exposure to EU-China trade tariffs.The Independent UK: “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.”