Rachel Reeves says UK’s future is in EU as she backs Andy Burnham on Brexit

Former chancellor says leaving European Union has made Britain ‘poorer, weaker and less secure’

The former chancellor Rachel Reeves has argued the UK’s future should be inside the EU, saying Brexit has made the UK “poorer, weaker and less secure”.

Writing in the Sunday Times, the Labour former cabinet minister said she welcomed “Andy Burnham’s leadership” after remarks made by the prime minister in recent days fuelled questions about the prospect of Britain returning to the bloc or adopting its freedom of movement rules.

Burnham wants to lock in deals on food and drink, emissions trading and a youth mobility scheme at a summit with the bloc next month, but told ministers that the period beyond that would be to “explore options” for the long-term relationship.