British ministers are in Brussels on Tuesday for a final round of talks with European Union officials ahead of the UK-EU summit on November 20, as London pushes for progress on trade, emissions and industrial cooperation.
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and European Relations Minister Hamish Falconer are leading the British delegation. They are due to meet EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič, with Falconer also meeting senior EU lawmakers to advance the summit negotiations.
The talks are aimed at lowering barriers for businesses and strengthening economic security on both sides, ten days before Prime Minister Andy Burnham meets European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels.
Trade, emissions and ‘Made in Europe’
The agenda covers agrifood trade, the linking of the UK and EU emissions trading systems, and the EU’s ‘Made in Europe’ agenda for public contracts. According to Euronews, Reynolds and Falconer will also meet Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné and Commissioner Andrius Kubilius to discuss industrial cooperation, space and UK-EU supply chains.
One sticking point is expected to be the definition of ‘Made in Europe,’ as London has been pushing for British firms to be included in the EU’s local-production regime for public contracts under the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act.
The summit is expected to confirm agreements on agriculture and food, emissions trading and a youth mobility scheme. It is the second UK-EU summit since Burnham became prime minister and Labour leader three months ago, and the government has presented it as a chance to cut red tape for businesses and create opportunities for young people.
Windsor Framework decisions on the table
Falconer is also co-chairing the third meeting of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee with Šefčovič on Tuesday, which oversees the Brexit withdrawal agreement, including the Windsor Framework arrangements for Northern Ireland.
In a written statement to Parliament on November 4, Falconer said the UK and EU would sign a joint declaration at the meeting ensuring that ‘not at risk’ parcels sent to consumers in Northern Ireland are not affected by the EU’s recently introduced handling fee, meaning they pay no fees or charges.
Falconer described the Joint Committee as an important milestone in the lead-up to the November 20 summit, where the government aims to strike deals that will boost growth, cut red tape and provide more opportunities for young people.
The wider reset debate
The Brussels trip comes as debate continues inside the UK government over how far the reset with the EU should go. Burnham told The Sunday Times in October that Britain should have an ‘honest discussion’ about how immigration has changed since Brexit, including the question of freedom of movement for workers.
Downing Street later clarified that the government is not currently negotiating a return to free movement, and ministers have stressed that the immediate focus is the November 20 summit and the practical agreements it can deliver.
Sources: MLex, 10 November 2026; Euronews, 10 November 2026.
