A leaked European Union draft would link British access to the bloc’s electricity market with a UK contribution for regional cohesion and seek London’s pledge against planned deportations of European offenders to EU countries, Sky News reported.
The Guardian reported that the document was prepared by the EU and has not been agreed with the UK. Sky News described it as an early EU position that is still awaiting approval from member states.
Under the proposal, Britain would gain access to the EU electricity market while contributing toward efforts to reduce economic and social disparities among EU regions. The draft’s deportation provision concerns planned removals; it seeks a promise not to proceed with them, rather than to halt an established program.
A Council of the European Union decision on March 30 authorized the European Commission to negotiate two related agreements, covering UK participation in the electricity market and a British contribution to reduce regional disparities. The Council said the contribution should reflect the UK’s level of participation in the EU internal market, rather than only its role in the electricity market. It framed the negotiations as balancing rights and obligations, building on a May 19, 2025, UK-EU summit agreement to explore electricity-market participation.
The government’s summit announcement said Prime Minister Andy Burnham would focus on growth. In remarks reported by ITV, Burnham said the public should be “the boss” of future changes to relations with the bloc.
The Guardian reported Nov. 3 that the UK and EU had finalized a food deal; an earlier EconoTimes report on the deal said its start date remained unsettled. UK and EU leaders are scheduled to meet in Brussels on Nov. 20.
