New 'once-in-a-generation' UK-Germany treaty to strengthen ties with Europe

The PM used his visit to Germany to tell Olaf Scholz Britain wants a closer relationship with the EU on a number of key issues, but that doesn't mean reversing Brexit, ITV News Political Correspondent Carl Dinnen reports

Sir Keir Starmer said he has a "once-in-a-generation chance to deliver for working people in Britain and Germany" as he meets the German chancellor in Berlin.

Speaking during a press conference in Berlin, alongside Olaf Scholz, he vowed economic growth is "the number one mission of my government" and that rebuilding partnerships with European leaders is "vital" to achieving it in the UK.

During a two-day trip to Berlin and Paris, the prime minister is hoping to "reset" the UK's relationship with Europe and "turn the corner on Brexit" - but he insisted this was not a reversal of Brexit.

The PM and Mr Scholz said they held "substantive discussions" today on how to tackle illegal immigration smuggling gangs and came up with joint action plan, which includes further intelligence sharing to intercept and shut down organised crime rings.

They also launched negotiations on a new UK-German treaty that aims to boost business and increase joint action on illegal migration, and enhance collaboration on issues such as climate change.

He said it would result in “deeper links on science, technology, development, people, business, culture” and “a boost to our trading relations”.

The UK’s negotiation team will spend the next six months working on the treaty with Germany, aiming to agree a partnership by early 2025.

However, Sir Keir made it clear "there are no plans" - despite reports - to introduce a youth mobility scheme with Europe that would allow young people more freedom of movement to work in the EU.

An agreement on youth mobility has been suggested by Brussels and could be a key demand in any negotiations.

But that could be seen as a step towards the restoration of free movement and Sir Keir said he had “clear red lines” ahead of talks with the European Union on the future relationship.

He told reporters: “In relation to youth mobility, obviously, we’ve been really clear – no single market, no customs union, no free movement, no going back into the EU.

“So the discussion about a close relationship with the EU, is in that context and within those frameworks.

“I’m convinced, and I think you heard from the chancellor himself, that we can have a close relationship, notwithstanding those clear red lines that we’ve got and we’ve always had.”

Mr Scholz said: “We want to create good relations between the UK and the European Union, it can become better day by day, and we all share an interest.”

There was “reason to do everything in our power to improve relations between both countries but also the UK and the European Union”.

Sir Keir also met German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Bellevue Palace in Berlin for private bilateral meeting at the start of a day of meetings in the German capital. He is the first British prime minister to visit Bellevue Palace, the official residence of the German president, since David Cameron in 2015.

After Germany, Sir Keir is expected to travel to Paris for the Paralympics opening ceremony on Wednesday evening.

He's then scheduled to have a breakfast meeting with French business leaders on Thursday morning, and a summit with President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace.

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No 10 said the agreement between the UK and Germany is also expected to cover areas where increased collaboration is needed, such as market access, critical science, innovation and tech, clean energy, trade across the North Sea, supply chain resilience, energy security and green transition education, biodiversity, and the environment.

Last month at the EPC summit held at Blenheim Palace, Sir Keir said the UK would be a “friend and a partner ready to work” with Europe, and that “we can only make progress on the issues that so many people care about, like illegal migration and national security, if we have the maturity and leadership to reach out a hand to our European friends”.

While he is in Berlin, the prime minister is expected to meet German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the chief executive of Siemens Energy, Dr Christian Bruch.

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