The Guardian reported that Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said UK and European Union (EU) officials will discuss long-term ties as a Nov. 20 summit centers on practical cooperation.
The Guardian said Reynolds made the remarks on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme and quoted him saying officials would discuss “what the future options for our relationship might be.” The outlet reported that the broader discussion could include free movement, although the remarks it quoted did not identify it as a current negotiating item.
The European Council’s published summit outline names defense and security, energy, agrifood rules, climate, people-to-people contacts, migration and law enforcement. It does not specifically list free movement. Leaders are expected to issue a joint declaration.
The UK government said Prime Minister Andy Burnham will meet European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on Nov. 20. London says it will seek agreements to reduce costs and paperwork for British farmers and businesses.
A 2025 UK-EU joint statement set a goal of concluding negotiations by the next summit on a Youth Experience Scheme, a common area for sanitary and phytosanitary rules covering food and plant health, and links between the sides’ emissions trading systems. A UK government explainer says the youth scheme will be time-limited, with the participant total acceptable to both sides; its specific terms remain subject to negotiation.
At the House of Commons Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Committee on Oct. 20, Reynolds said negotiations then under way were consistent with the government’s positions against rejoining the EU, returning to the single market or returning to the customs union. Labour’s 2024 manifesto separately ruled out returning to the single market, customs union or freedom of movement while pledging to reduce trade barriers and deepen ties with European partners.
ITV reported Oct. 24 that Burnham had called for discussion of free movement in an interview with The Sunday Times. EconoTimes previously covered Burnham’s remarks on worker mobility and migration data sharing.
The next scheduled decision point is the Nov. 20 summit in Brussels.
