Overview
- Starmer is preparing a speech in the days after Thursday's local elections to set out a closer relationship with the EU that he says could help with the cost of living.
- Officials have been drafting plans for months to align with EU rules on food standards, energy markets and carbon pricing to open more doors for UK businesses.
- He will keep his red lines, ruling out free movement and any return to the EU single market or customs union.
- European negotiators have indicated that deeper access would require yearly UK contributions, reported at about £1 billion.
- Allies present the reset as a bid to steady his leadership after expected heavy losses, with talk of possible challengers if the results are severe.