UK to focus on getting 'good deal' on steel and farming in upcoming EU summit
The Prime Minister said striking a “good deal for British steel” was “imperative”, after Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey urged him to “join the single market”.
Andy Burnham has revealed that getting a “good deal” farming and steel is at the top of his agenda for the upcoming summit with the EU.
The UK had been due to host its second major summit with the bloc in July, however this was delayed due to the change in Prime Minister.
The meeting is expected to happen later this year - although a date has not yet been set.
Answering his first Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday, Mr Burnham indicated farming and steel were at the top of his agenda for talks with the 27-member bloc.
He said striking a “good deal for British steel” was “imperative”, after Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey urged him to “join the single market”.
The European Union earlier this year unveiled regulations designed to protect the steel industries in its member states, amid fears global overproduction of the alloy was affecting the bloc’s steel market.
The deal, which came into effect in July, limited tariff-free import volumes to 18.3m tons a year – a 47 per cent reduction compared with 2024 quotas.
This was a huge blow to the British steel industry, which has already been hit by levies on steel into the American market.
The Community Union, which represents workers at British Steel in Scunthorpe, described it as an “existential threat”.
On the same day, the UK Government also lowered the tariff-free quota level for steel importers by 51 per cent compared to current arrangements, and any imports above these levels will face a 50 per cent tariff.
Responding to Sir Ed, Mr Burnham said: “It’s clear the low growth we’ve had – the decade of low growth – has been partly a result of Brexit.
“And the sooner the party opposite accepts that, the more we can start to face up to Britain’s future and ‘where do we go from here?’
“I do want a closer relationship – I will build on the work of my predecessor.
“There are issues facing British farming right now and there are issues facing British steel right now.
“And the Made In Europe agenda could pose significant problems for British Steel.
“So, as he will know, we are approaching a UK-EU summit in the next couple of months.
“It is imperative, I believe, that we work hard to get a good deal for British steel, for British farming as part of that new deal that he talks about.”
This includes EU hygiene rules applying to UK slaughterhouses, meat processors, and dairy producers, while animal health frameworks will apply to British farmers, breeders and traders.
The Government expects that by reducing red tape the deal will increase agricultural exports by 16 per cent.
Mr Burnham will likely discuss the upcoming EU summit as he meets French President Emmanuel Macron in Downing Street today.
Ahead of the meeting, the Prime Minister said: “Working alongside Europe is the key to driving a stronger Britain.”
No10 said the pair would discuss small boat crossings and announced new “surge teams” of police will be deployed to tackle the so-called mega dinghies ferrying migrants across the Channel.
Mr Burnham added: “The progress we have seen this summer shows what can be achieved when the UK and France work together.
"But I am clear that we cannot be complacent. Smuggling gangs are constantly adapting their tactics, and the UK and France need to respond quickly and stay one step ahead of the criminals facilitating the dangerous crossings.
"The small boats crisis is a shared European challenge, and no country can solve it alone. Working with France and our international partners, we will restore order and control to our borders and prevent smugglers exploiting vulnerable migrants.”