Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said closer food and farming ties with the European Union could help bring down the cost of living, ahead of a summit with the bloc in Brussels on 20 November.

Speaking to the Sunday Mirror, Mr Burnham said the practical deals being agreed with Europe would pay off for families across the UK. He said cutting red tape on food coming in and out of the country would ease pressure on prices at the supermarket, while making life easier for farmers and food producers.

"It pays to have a good relationship with your neighbours," he said. "This summit will show what we can achieve when we work together, but it doesn't need to be the end of our ambition."

Growth, security and migration

Mr Burnham said working more closely with Europe could drive growth, make the country safer and give the UK more tools to tackle illegal migration. Government sources suggested restoring access to the EU's migration database would help in tackling illegal Channel crossings and other migration crime.

A 200-page draft deal on removing checks on food and agriculture exports has been handed to EU nations, and the Government believes it could add up to £5.1 billion a year to the economy. Under a separate agreement on emissions, the UK will pay the EU billions of pounds to avoid a cross-border carbon tax that comes into force next January.

Former EU negotiator Michel Barnier has warned that Britain cannot pick and choose parts of the single market, telling the BBC there is no "single market à la carte" and that access would require accepting free movement of people. Mr Burnham has said he would leave any decision on rejoining the EU in the hands of the public.

[Source: glasgowtimes.co.uk](https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/national/26709212.andy-burnham-claims-closer-eu-ties-will-help-cost-living/) | [Source: europesays.com](https://www.europesays.com/europe/176524/)