UK deal with EU will not return to ‘arguments of the past’, minister says

Exclusive: Thomas-Symonds says growth is top priority as Starmer talks to von der Leyen before May summit

• Nick Thomas-Symonds: A new deal with the EU is exactly what Britain needs. Here's how Labour will achieve it

The UK's new deal with the EU will be a break from debates and arguments of the past", the UK's chief negotiator, Nick Thomas-Symonds, has said, pledging that growth will be the highest priority of the talks.

Meanwhile, Keir Starmer held talks with the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, in London, as momentum builds towards a crucial EU-UK summit in May.