EXCLUSIVE: Julian Jessop also said the idea that Britain should have to provide overseas aid to poorer EU countries in return for the right to join the electricity market would be “another slap in the face to UK taxpayers”.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham (Image: Getty)
Andy Burnham has been accused of preparing to sell out Britain’s interests to Brussels in a controversial Brexit reset, with an expert warning that the proposed deal would leave the UK following EU rules without having any say over them. Julian Jessop, from the campaign group Britain Unbound, launched a scathing attack on the Prime Minister’s plans, claiming the concessions being considered would benefit the EU at Britain’s expense.
He warned that a proposed agri-food agreement could force businesses across the UK economy to comply with European regulations, even if they had no trade with the bloc. Mr Jessop said: “Rarely has so much been given away in return for so little. Almost every aspect of the so-called ‘reset’ stinks.
“The proposed agri-food deal will require the UK to apply EU rules to the entire economy whether businesses trade with the EU or not. And these are rules on which the UK will have no say. The proposed ‘youth mobility scheme’ is also biased in favour of the EU.
“The number of young EU people coming to work or study in the UK is likely to far exceed the number of young UK people heading in the other direction, as it did before Brexit, at a time when youth unemployment is already very high. UK universities will lose out too if EU fees are slashed.
“The idea that Britain should have to provide overseas aid to poorer EU countries in return for the right to buy and sell more energy is another slap in the face to UK taxpayers. Can anyone imagine another sovereign nation like Canada paying tribute to the US in this way?”
Economist Julian Jessop: Brexit will separate UK from ‘clumsy’ EU
His intervention comes after leaked documents revealed Brussels is demanding more money from Britain and wants Mr Burnham to abandon plans to deport foreign criminals to European countries.
A draft statement prepared ahead of a UK-EU summit in Brussels this month says the bloc expects an “appropriate level of financial contribution towards reducing economic and social disparities between the regions of the EU” in return for Britain gaining access to its single electricity market.
Brussels is also insisting that Mr Burnham “commits not to proceed with… removals and deportations” of European offenders to EU countries.
The demand follows changes introduced this year allowing the Home Office to deport foreign nationals once they have been sentenced.
However, a source told Sky News that the British Government would not agree to the demand. The requirements have also not yet been approved by EU member states.
The leaked document further offers only a commitment to dialogue on economic security, rather than a firm agreement to limit the impact of the EU’s trade dispute with China on Britain.
Mr Burnham has defended the negotiations, arguing they could deliver a significant boost to the economy.
Asked about the prospect of Britain having its food trade rules made by the EU without any input, he told broadcasters: “What’s facing me two weeks on Friday is a UK-EU summit where I have the opportunity to add to UK growth.
“It’s estimated up to 0.4% extra on GDP.
“I think people in Britain would expect me to take that with both hands, given where we’ve been in recent times, and that’s what I’m doing.”
He added that closer cooperation could help farmers, remove red tape for British businesses and deliver economic growth.
Mr Burnham has previously described ignoring the opportunity for a new deal as a “dereliction of duty”, while insisting the “public will be the boss” when it comes to closer ties with Brussels.