Andy Burnham wants to get closer to the EU – but he shouldn’t expect a smooth ride

Ahead of the EU-UK summit in Brussels on 20 November, the British government is preparing an agreement to bring the UK closer to the bloc, without currently proposing a return to the single market. A source familiar with negotiations says the deal is about 90% complete and would cover food trade, emissions trading and youth visas, although the sides disagree over a visa cap: the EU proposed 150,000 places and the UK 50,000. A potential cut in tuition fees for EU students is expected to be put off, while the EU’s “Made in Europe” plans are another point of concern. Former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has warned that the UK cannot pick and choose its way back into the single market.