EXCLUSIVE On the eve of Surrender Summit, Starmer eyes deal to cosy up to Brussels with hundreds of millions of UK taxpayers' cash
Sir Keir Starmer is preparing to sign an outline agreement for a 'reset' with the bloc that critics have branded a ' Brexit betrayal'.
It is expected to include a youth mobility scheme – dubbed free movement 'by the back door' – and an agreement to allow EU trawlers to fish in British waters.
The UK would also be forced to swallow many Brussels rules and accept a role for the European Court of Justice as the two sides deepen trade and security links.
Brexiteers' fears that the Prime Minister is preparing to surrender freedoms gained after the 2016 referendum deepened last night after No 10 told The Mail on Sunday that Sir Keir believed that the British people were 'done' with Brexit.
A Downing Street adviser said: 'His view is people have had it with the Brexit wars. They're done with all that. What they want is a relationship with Europe that benefits them. All they care about now is something that will put some extra money in their pockets'.
The agreement in principle, which is expected to be signed by European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Antonio Costa at Lancaster House in London, will also include a defence and security pact that would allow British companies to win contracts from a €150 billion (£125 billion) EU weapons fund.
Firms such as BAE Systems could bid for contracts from the Security Action For Europe (Safe) fund, established in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and fears that Donald Trump could ditch America's Nato commitments.
The agreement, which is expected to be signed by European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen (pictured), will also include a defence and security pact that would allow British companies to win contracts from a €150 billion (£125 billion) EU weapons fund
However, a senior diplomatic source last night said that the French government were leading demands for the UK to pay Brussels for the privilege of being allowed access to the fund.
The source said: 'The figures being discussed are in the hundreds of millions up to possible billions. It would inevitably trigger memories of the days when Britain forked out a fortune to the EU each year'.
The deal would also require Britain and the EU to 'standardise' mutual defence systems and ensure 'greater interoperability'.
Last night Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge said: 'Labour's Brexit betrayal is in full swing. Whenever they negotiate, Britain loses.
'We have been warning of their backsliding across the board, and now ahead of their Surrender Summit on Monday, fears are growing that Labour might force the British public to cough up as the price of their defence agreements.
'We are Europe's biggest defence power and have led the West in supporting Ukraine – they should be welcoming us, not making absurd demands.
'There must be no more taxpayer money sent to Brussels. We will fight Labour tooth and nail to prevent this.'
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: 'We should not be putting our army under an EU flag, let alone then paying for the privilege'.
Mr Farage has called the youth mobility plan, 'effectively be a back door to free movement of people that will be strongly opposed by Brexit voters', while the Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch has claimed it could amount to an 'uncapped migration scheme'.
But Sir Keir has insisted that it would not amount to a return to pre-Brexit freedom of movement, pointing to reciprocal schemes that the UK already has with the likes of Australia.
Under such agreements, people between the ages of 18 and 35 are allowed to work in each other's countries for two years.
They are subject to annual quotas, ranging from 100 visas for Andorra to 42,000 for Australia.
The PM told The Times: 'We have a red line in our manifesto about freedom of movement, but youth mobility is not freedom of movement.
'I think the British public are pretty pragmatic, that's what we're known for, which is why I think they will look forward not backwards'.
It has been calculated that 80 million Europeans would qualify for a British visa if a mobility scheme for under-35s is not capped.
Last night, Downing Street said that the deal would help UK firms 'who face red tape and checks just to export to our nearest and biggest trading partner'; British supermarkets 'who have to pass these costs on to consumers and reduce the availability of products on shelves '; and British families 'who face higher bills, queues on holiday and whose safety and security is harmed by a lack of cooperation between neighbouring countries facing the same global challenges'.
Sir Keir said: 'In this time of great uncertainty and volatility, the UK will not respond by turning inwards, but by proudly taking our place on the world stage – strengthening our alliances and closing deals in the interests of British people'.
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