Burnham insists he can strike ‘win-win’ deal with EU that is closer to 2016 Brexit promise

Andy Burnham has stated his belief that a "win-win" agreement can be struck with the EU, which could be "more like the Brexit that people thought they were voting for in 2016".

The Prime Minister indicated that restarting discussions on future UK-EU ties has assisted progress on several pacts ahead of next week’s summit.

In Brussels next week, Mr Burnham is scheduled to meet European leaders to finalise treaties covering food and agriculture, emissions trading, and a youth mobility scheme, which could boost GDP by 0.4%.

Following this, the UK plans to "explore options" for a renewed long-term framework with the bloc.

Addressing the European Political Community (EPC) meeting in Ireland on Thursday, Mr Burnham said: "The requests are coming from the European side. We are putting our requests on the table too.

"I believe there is a good deal to be done that could be a win-win for Britain and Europe. I think it actually could be more like the Brexit that people thought they were voting for in 2016.

"I don’t think people thought they were going to get a Brexit as hard as the one that finally came through at the end of 2019. It was much harder than Theresa May’s deal when she was trying to come up with an arrangement.

"So let’s see where we get to in the next in the next seven days. But I think in the end, what we get could be good for Britain, but also closer to what people voted for at the referendum."

He did not dismiss offering reduced tuition rates to young Europeans within negotiations, adding: "There’s a lot of issues on the table as part of a deal and I’m certainly one that supports greater youth exchange between the UK and Europe."

Asked if reopening debate had aided or damaged the talks, Mr Burnham said: "I think it has helped, but there’s a long way to go."

He added that he would "fight now, over the days to come, to make sure we get this deal over the line".