'Plus ça change!' EU demands Starmer buckles on migration and fishing to secure defence deal

Along with a defence deal, the Prime Minister is eager to establish a security deal, mutual recognition for professional qualifications, as well as extra support for British artists and musicians to perform in EU member states.

However, such an arrangement has been halted by the French President, who has refused to engage on security and defence deals unless Britain agrees with the EU over fishing rights and a youth mobility deal, the Financial Times reports.

Since assuming power, Labour has committed itself to “resetting” its relationship with the EU, keen to reinstate close ties with the bloc.

In such negotiation, the EU wants to establish guarantees that member states will continue to have the same access to British waters as they currently do under a deal that is set to expire in June 2026.

A senior UK Government official told the Financial Times: “Over the last four or five weeks it has become clear that it won't happen without early assurances on fish and mobility.

“We're back to the 'nothing agreed until everything is agreed' world.”

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There is also an eagerness to make Starmer agree to a youth mobility scheme - which will allow young Britons and Europeans alike to travel to other EU nations for study and to work.

So far, Starmer has refused to cave and has expressed caution when approaching a deal that might tease a return of free movement.

As a result, further anticipation has risen ahead of Starmer’s scheduled dinner with EU leaders on Monday when they are set to discuss a wider package of deals.

“Everything is now seen as a quid pro quo,” one EU official said, while a French official added: “Security and defence cannot be separated from the rest.”

Since entering No10, Keir Starmer has strengthened his relationship with the French President through a series of diplomatic engagements.

Earlier this month, Starmer hosted Macron at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s official country residence.

Last year, Starmer became the first British Prime Minister to visit France for its Armistice Day services since Winston Churchill in 1944.

A Cabinet Office spokesman said: "As part of resetting our relationship with our European neighbours we continue to work towards strengthening co-operation on areas of mutual benefit, such as on security."

European Commission spokesman Olof Gill added: "We look forward to the UK defining its priorities, including on defence and security, and will engage on that basis."