Reeves says Britain’s future lies inside the European Union
Rachel Reeves, in her first major intervention since leaving the Treasury, says Brexit made the country “poorer, weaker and less secure”. “I do believe Britain’s future lies in the European Union,” she wrote. Separately, ministers are prepared to spend up to £450m a year letting EU students pay home fees — but only if Brussels admits Britain to its Made in Europe industrial scheme.
Labour’s 2024 manifesto ruled out free movement, the single market and a customs union, and Andy Burnham says any change would need a mandate at a general election. Reeves wants a youth mobility scheme and “progress towards entry” into the EU’s SAFE defence fund confirmed at the forthcoming UK-EU summit. Kemi Badenoch said she “can’t even believe we are reopening” the Brexit debate. The fees offer is the clearest sign yet of what London will trade: one official said “the biggest prize we are pushing for right now is access to Made in Europe”. Discounted places for EU students may prove awkward at home while graduates complain about their own loans.