When the UK left the European Union, wise heads warned that although Brexit had happened, it would never end.

Over the next few months many of the issues that dominated headlines before the UK’s departure will return to the agenda as Sir Keir Starmer tries to “reset” relations with a new trade and co-operation treaty.

Negotiations are due to begin in spring, and both sides are formulating “offensive” and “defensive” strategies.

But what does the UK want — and what does Brussels want in return?

WHAT THE UK WANTS

END CHECKS ON PRODUCE

Since Brexit, all food and agricultural exports to the EU have been subject to costly and time-consuming paperwork and checks to ensure they comply with single-market rules and regulations.

This has affected large and small companies, and a study suggests that it has reduced exports to the EU by £3 billion a year since 2021.

Key to the reset is an attempt to eliminate these checks. This would mean that UK produce could be exported and sold in a similar way to before Brexit.

DEFENCE CO-OPERATION

In response to Russia invading Ukraine, Labour wants a new security pact. It could include UK participation in EU security and defence policy missions, and more co-operation on “internal” security issues such as terrorism.

The need for this relationship has become more pressing since Donald Trump’s re-election in the US, and Starmer is due to set out his proposals at a meeting of EU leaders in February.

SECURITY

With Brexit, the UK lost access to a range of EU databases, including the European arrest warrant and the Schengen Information System. It also lost access to Eurodac, the EU’s fingerprinting system used to identify asylum seekers and illegal migrants, which the government wants to restore.

ILLEGAL MIGRATION

The UK would like a limited “returns” agreement with the EU. This could allow the UK to send back some of the people who cross to the UK in small boats. In return, Labour has indicated, the UK would take unaccompanied child migrants with family here.

RECOGNITION OF QUALIFICATIONS

Since Brexit it has been harder for British professionals to work in the EU as their qualifications are no longer recognised.

Starmer wants this changed.

WHAT BRUSSELS WANTS

UK TO FOLLOW EU REGULATIONS

The EU sees Starmer’s request to slash red tape on food exports as an opportunity to pull Britain back into its regulatory orbit. It has ruled out an agreement that would allow the UK to set rules on issues such as food safety that are “equivalent” to those of the EU. The UK would have to follow new rules over which it has no control.

FISHING

Before there can be any negotiations to ease trade friction, the EU will insist that the UK surrenders fishing rights.

It also has new demands that would in effect dismantle the UK’s marine protection policy. France has led opposition to conservation measures with “socioeconomic consequences on Union fishing communities”. Key marine protection measures would need EU approval.

YOUTH MOBILITY

One of the EU’s demands is for a youth mobility scheme that would give 18 to 30-year-olds the right to live, work and study in the UK for a limited period.

Labour ministers are worried that such a deal could be seen as a return to freedom of movement, with Starmer telling The Sun last night that the UK would not sign up to any deal that involved “going back to the old rules”. He said: “I’ve been clear from the get go that freedom of movement is a red line for us, and [there are] no plans in relation to free movement on any level.”

SECURITY AND MIGRATION

The EU is enthusiastic about greater defence alignment as Nato comes under pressure to increase military spending.

Co-operation is also envisaged on fighting cyberthreats and the UK is seen as critical in Ukraine peace talks.

On small boats, there is an openness to consider improved co-operation.

However, there is less appetite to allow the UK to return illegal migrants, as Europe also faces high migration.