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

An EU chief warned today that the UK must pay to 'reduce economic and social disparities' between member states.

Maros Šefčovič, the bloc's trade commissioner, listed the demand among the goals for a summit with Andy Burnham next month.

Addressing MEPs, he also reiterated the call for a youth 'free movement' scheme - fuelling concerns that the PM is poised to make concessions for better terms at the border. 

The Eurocrat said the partnership with the UK was of 'vital importance' amid the current geopolitical turmoil. 

He said it was in the EU's 'best interest to make further progress' on improving ties.

That meant fully implementing the existing Windsor Framework and trade agreements, to protect six million EU nationals in the UK and one million Brits living in the bloc.

He highlighted that advances had been made on fisheries, energy and the Erasmus+ exchange scheme.

Mr Šefčovič said: 'We aim to complete negotiations on common sanitary and phytosanitary areas, a linkage between our emissions trading systems and the creation of a youth experience scheme as a package for the summit.' 

He said talks were also taking place about the UK's participation in the EU's internal electricity market, and 'an appropriate financial contribution from the UK towards reducing economic, social and territorial disparities between regions in the union'.

'These negotiations will continue beyond the summit,' he added. 

The PM has been talking up his hopes for closer ties with the bloc ahead of the summit with commission chief Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on November 20.

He has argued that reducing friction on trade can have major economic benefits for the UK.  

After recently refusing to rule out the next Labour manifesto committing to rejoin, Mr Burnham told MPs last week that he wanted a 'serious dialogue about the different options for our relationship in the long term'. 

The signals have delighted Europhile politicians who have been pushing to reverse the decision taken at the 2016 referendum. 

However, some Labour MPs have voiced alarm at the prospect of going back into divisive debates about the UK's status.

The Tories have warned that Mr Burnham has already doomed a deal by undermining his own negotiating position. 

A youth 'experience' scheme would potentially mean people under 30 having the right to live and work in both the EU and UK - branded a 'youth free movement' arrangement by critics.