Andy Burnham's Brexit 'surrender' drive ramped today as he met EU leaders for talks.

The PM joined the European Political Community meeting in Dublin this afternoon, as he finalises the terms of his 'reset' ahead of a UK-EU summit next week.

At the start of talks with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday, Mr Burnham said they would use the sit-down to get a deal 'over the line'.

The PM was also expected to discuss his Brexit 'reset' package in a meeting with France's Emmanuel Macron.

But concerns are growing that Mr Burnham will make deep concessions to get better trade terms at the UK-EU summit next Friday.

They could include contributions to Brussels coffers, a youth 'free movement' scheme and taking the bloc's rules. Member states are also gearing up to play hardball over demands for cut-price tuition fees.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is understood to have put himself forward to spearhead the effort to sell the deal to the public.   

Mr Burnham has triggered a wider push for rejoining the EU entirely after the next election, which is causing ructions within the Cabinet despite the PM ordering ministers to stay neutral in public.

At the start of his bilateral meeting with Ms von der Leyen in Dublin, Mr Burnham said: 'Obviously, we have a UK-EU summit seven days away now, a week tomorrow, and our teams – who are working very well – and we're really grateful to you and your colleagues.

'We have potentially a deal that can be good for businesses in the UK in terms of cutting red tape, reducing costs on business, but also good for consumers as well in terms of lowering prices. Good for young people potentially.

'But we've got to try and get this deal over the line, and that's what today is about.'

Ms von der Leyen thanked officials for working 'tirelessly' in 'hard negotiations' ahead of next week's 'important' summit.

In a post on X after her talks with Mr Burnham, the European Commission chief wrote: 'Good to meet Andy Burnham in Dublin today, ahead of next week’s EU-UK summit in Brussels.

'Let’s make it a summit of ambition and concrete results. More opportunities for young people. Easier agrifood trade. And a stronger cooperation on economic security.

'We are very much looking forward to welcoming you in Brussels next week.'

Former PM David Cameron delivered a stark warning last night that the UK must not go back into the EU, urging Mr Burnham to stop blaming Brexit for the UK's economic woes.

In a major intervention, the ex-Tory premier cautioned that reopening the 'painful argument' would not do any good.

Lord Cameron saw his own premiership derailed by his loss in the 2016 EU referendum, during which he led the Remain campaign.

'If you look at the economic problems we have today, I don't really think they've got anything to do with Brexit at all,' Lord Cameron told Bloomberg's Mishal Husain. 

Mr Burnham is poised to sign off on a series of agreements on food and drink, emissions trading and a 'youth experience scheme' at the Brussels summit next week.

In another apparent sop to the EU, ministers are said to be ready to match the bloc's targets for EV sales. And there is pressure to follow Brussels by imposing tariffs on Chinese cars. 

Arriving in Dublin this morning, EU commission foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she would 'very much like to see Britain back in Europe' despite he 'trauma' from Brexit negotiations.

'The negotiations will not be that easy, but I think we can take the little steps,' she said. 

'And I'm confident that if we are together, we are much stronger when it comes to economy, but when it also comes to security.'

Mr Burnham has said he will use also the summit next week to 'set up a serious dialogue' about the UK's longer-term ties with the EU, having claimed that 'sticking with the status quo is not good enough for Britain'.

The PM, who has previously expressed a wish to see the UK rejoin the EU in his lifetime, has said he will soon set out 'different options' for voters.

But his call for an 'honest discussion' about a return to freedom of movement has prompted a frenzy in Labour circles.

Confusion mounted after he was pressed on how any change in Labour's manifesto red lines – ruling out rejoining the customs union and single market – would be put to voters.

Mr Burnham initially said there would be no shift within this Parliament and signalled that he could fight the next general election on a promise to take the UK back into the bloc.

But in another interview, he said 'no' when asked whether he would allow the UK to reinstate EU freedom of movement without a referendum.

That forced Downing Street to clarify that he was 'not leaning either way' on how to move forward or whether there needed to be a national vote.

In his letter to the Cabinet, Mr Burnham said: 'In the period beyond the summit, government policy will be to explore options for the long-term relationship with the EU for consideration in the next Parliament.

'At the end of this process, we will set out to the country the respective merits and drawbacks of the various options.

'It is important that we remain aligned and disciplined as a Government in our messaging throughout this period.

'It will not be appropriate for ministers individually to advocate for specific options or opine on the likely outcome of the process.'

Tory former Cabinet minister Priti Patel said: 'Andy Burnham's obsession with the EU risks dragging Britain backwards, damaging our economy and leaving hardworking British taxpayers footing the bill. 

'The British people voted to leave the EU. That democratic decision must be respected, not endlessly undermined by the liberal left establishment who refuse to accept it. 

'Instead of reopening old Brexit arguments, Burnham should be focused on the real challenges facing our country: driving economic growth, cutting taxes, reducing regulation and backing British businesses. 

'We need a government focused on Britain's future, not one obsessed with returning to its past.'