Brussels is said to be preparing to ask the UK to follow European Union laws for the first time since Brexit as part of plans for a new trade deal with Sir Keir Starmer.
It comes as the prime minister attempts to reset the UK’s relationship with the bloc after years of tense relations under successive Conservative prime ministers.
While Sir Keir has repeatedly insisted the UK will not rejoin the single market within his lifetime, he has pledged to “make Brexit work” by renegotiating the deal agreed upon by Boris Johnson and pursuing closer cooperation, particularly on defence, security and trade.
A blueprint for European negotiators looking at the trade deal, seen by The Times, indicates that EU leaders are planning to make UK acceptance of the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) a red line for an improved trading relationship.
The document also reportedly sets out British concessions on fishing and a youth mobility scheme as key priorities for the EU.
The ECJ is the judicial authority of the EU and ensures compliance with EU laws.
According to the document, the EU would also ask the UK to allow European fishermen to access British waters.
It says the UK must agree to “the maintenance of the status quo” on access for European boats to British waters before talks can begin, including the same levels of catch allowances as those that are currently in place.
The plans have sparked outrage from fishing groups, with Charles Clover, co-founder of conservation charity the Blue Marine Foundation, claiming the demands are “absolutely outrageous”.
If agreed, he said, they would allow French trawlers to “trash UK marine protected areas”.
The document is expected to be presented to a council of European ministers next week, ahead of the start of formal talks between the UK and EU which will begin early next year.
Sir Keir and European Commission president Ursula Von der Leyen have agreed to hold regular EU-UK leader summits, with the first set to take place in early 2025.
It comes just days after the UK struck a fishing deal with the EU, which the government estimates to be worth £360m and claimed highlights “all parties’ continued commitment to manage fisheries sustainably”.
Following negotiations with the EU for 2025 fishing quotas, the UK secured 150,000 tonnes of fishing opportunities – 15,000 tonnes more than in 2024 – ministers announced on Wednesday.
Another key aspect of the EU’s approach to talks with the UK is a youth mobility scheme, a proposal which Downing Street has so far rejected.
The agreement, which has become a major sticking point between the UK and EU, would likely mirror similar arrangements Britain already has with countries including Australia and Japan and would allow 18- to 35-year-olds to move and work freely between countries for up to two years.
Despite Downing Street’s objections, the issue is also expected to be on the EU’s agenda for the first summit of 2025.
Mike Galsworthy, chair of pro-EU campaign group the European Movement, said that progress with the EU may require “quid pro quo horse trading”.
“The UK government was never going to get a free lunch if it wanted the EU to commit time and resources into trade measures to boost the UK economy and pull it out of its Brexit mire”, he said.
“Some demands, like youth mobility are an obvious boon all round. Others will be quid pro quo horse trading. But all of it will unlock opportunities to build better economic prosperity.
“With fishing, presumably this would re-open the EU market to UK fishermen, which would be a shot in the arm given the damage that Brexit did to our fishing industry.”
A government spokesperson said: “This government is resetting its relationship with the EU and wants to strengthen cooperation, to make people safer and tackle barriers to trade, to help drive economic growth.
“We have been clear that there will be no return to the customs union, single market or freedom of movement. The UK government will always work to protect the interests of our fishers.”
