EU chief warns UK must pay to ‘reduce economic disparities’ between member states – amid fears Burnham will make concessions at summit next month

EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič has said the UK may need to make a financial contribution towards reducing economic and social disparities between regions in the EU. The proposal is part of talks on closer UK-EU ties ahead of a summit with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and could become a politically contentious condition for progress.

Šefčovič said negotiations would cover food and plant health rules, linking emissions trading systems and a youth experience scheme, as well as possible UK participation in the EU’s internal electricity market. The youth scheme could give under-30s rights to live and work in both places; critics describe it as youth free movement. The summit is due in Brussels on 20 November, while Labour figures’ openness to closer ties has drawn support from Europhile politicians and concern from some Labour MPs and Conservatives.