Sadiq Khan heaps pressure on Burnham to start reversing Brexit with concessions at EU summit - as Brussels 'delays push for cut-price student fees to encourage PM'

Published: 05:42 EDT, 22 October 2026 | Updated: 05:58 EDT, 22 October 2026 Sadiq Khan has ramped up pressure on Andy Burnham to start reversing Brexit at a summit next month.The London Mayor insisted the PM must take the opportunity to strike agreements on food and drink standards and a youth 'free movement' scheme.In a letter to ministers, Lord Khan said such deals would help move the UK towards the 'destination' of rejoining the EU and boost the economy.The intervention will fuel fears that the premier could make big concessions in his determination to secure closer ties at the summit in Brussels on November 20.There are claims today that the bloc is ready to delay a push to get cut-price fees for students coming to study in the UK.The Financial Times said a six-month deadline could instead be set for reaching agreement on that issue, in what was described as a 'gift' for Mr Burnham.In a letter to Europe minister Hamish Falconer, Lord Khan set out a list of areas where he wants immediate progress. Sadiq Khan has ramped up pressure on Andy Burnham to start reversing Brexit at a summit next month The PM has been talking up his hopes for closer ties with the bloc ahead of the summit with commission chief Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on November 20The mayor has been calling for the UK to rejoin the customs union and single market in this Parliament - something that would break red lines in Labour's manifesto. Restoring full membership of the bloc would then be put to the public at the next election, under Lord Khan's blueprint. He wrote in his letter: 'Rejoining the EU must remain our destination. But there are also steps we can and must take now to rebuild our relationship with our European neighbours which would remove barriers to trade, grow our economy and improve living standards in the short-term.' 'None of these measures would fully meet the economic needs of our nation, but delivering them now would be a gesture of good faith and an important signal of intent. 'We must make the very most of the coming weeks and months to deliver these quick wins, even as we begin to build consensus for our ultimate goal – rejoining the European Union.' Lord Khan's wish list includes a youth mobility scheme allowing people to live and work across the EU and UK - often described as youth 'free movement' by critics.He also backed a deal on musicians touring, accepting EU identity cards for school trips, and mutual recognition of professional qualifications in key sectors. Mr Burnham has been talking up his hopes for closer ties with the bloc ahead of the summit with commission chief Ursula von der Leyen.He has argued that reducing friction on trade can have major economic benefits for the UK. After recently refusing to rule out the next Labour manifesto committing to rejoin, Mr Burnham told MPs last week that he wanted a 'serious dialogue about the different options for our relationship in the long term'. The signals have delighted Europhile politicians who have been pushing to reverse the decision taken at the 2016 referendum. However, some Labour MPs have voiced alarm at the prospect of going back into divisive debates about the UK's status.Earlier this week a key Eurocrat warned that the UK will have to pay to 'reduce economic and social disparities' between member states.Maros Šefčovič, the bloc's trade commissioner, listed the demand among his goals for the summit. Maros Šefčovič, the EU's trade commissioner, said earlier this week that the UK must pay to 'reduce economic and social disparities' between member statesAddressing MEPs, he said the partnership with the UK was of 'vital importance' amid the current geopolitical turmoil. He said it was in the EU's 'best interest to make further progress' on improving ties.That meant fully implementing the existing Windsor Framework and trade agreements, to protect six million EU nationals in the UK and one million Brits living in the bloc.He highlighted that advances had been made on fisheries, energy and the Erasmus+ exchange scheme.