Let the Brexit backsliding begin! UK-EU summit will take place on 22 July as Keir Starmer looks to sign his 'reset' deal with Brussels - but will he still be around for it?

By GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT Published: 15:10, 16 June 2026 | Updated: 15:13, 16 June 2026 Keir Starmer will look to finalise his Brexit 'reset' deal next month after it was announced the next UK-EU summit will be held in Brussels on 22 July. The Prime Minister is bidding to forge closer ties with the EU as part of Labour's desperate scramble to boost economic growth. It had previously been thought a UK-EU summit would be held this month to allow Sir Keir and EU leaders to sign off on the 'reset' agreement. That timeline was pushed back as talks over a new food deal and a youth mobility scheme hit a deadlock. But today's confirmation of a date for the Brussels summit points to recent progress in the previously-stalled negotiations. The announcement was made as Sir Keir met with the EU's leaders on the margins of the G7 summit in France. The PM is hoping to strike new co-operation agreements on food, energy and youth mobility as part of his 'reset' deal. Yet it remains uncertain as to whether Sir Keir will still be around to finalise his 'reset' efforts. Keir Starmer confirmed the date of the 22 July summit following a meeting European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen at the G7 gathering in Evian-les-Bains The PM also met with European Council president António Costa as he seeks to finalise his Brexit 'reset' deal Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is set to launch a bid to replace Sir Keir in Downing Street if he wins the Makerfield by-election on Thursday. The Government's 'reset' plans have been criticised by Brexiteers for 'unpicking' the freedoms that the UK was afforded following the EU referendum vote a decade ago. There are concerns about Britain having to again follow EU rules in some areas under so-called 'dynamic alignment' with the bloc's regulations. And there are also worries about the size of a financial contribution the UK will have to make to Brussels for closer ties. A youth mobility deal, allowing British and EU member state citizens under 30 to live, work and study in each other's countries, is set to be agreed at the summit. But there have been wranglings over EU demands for European students to pay lower tuition fees in England. Negotiations have also stumbled over the setting of a cap on the numbers who can take part in the scheme, and uncertainty over the willingness of EU nations to issue visas for British youths. Sir Keir confirmed the date of the 22 July summit following meetings with European Council president António Costa and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen at the G7 gathering in Evian-les-Bains. 'My Labour Government is delivering on our promise to reset our relationship and put Britain at the heart of Europe,' the PM said. 'Together we will tackle the cost of living, boost jobs and create opportunities for young people.' Mr Costa said: 'Close EU–UK co-operation is essential for our shared European security, resilience and prosperity. 'We are working closely together to make our upcoming second summit in Brussels on July 22 a success.' The comments below have not been moderated. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.