The public will expect the Government to grab “with both hands” the opportunity to boost economic growth through closer trade ties with the EU, Andy Burnham has said.

The Prime Minister defended plans to accept a new agreement with Brussels on food and farming as he attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua.

Asked if he believed it was acceptable for the UK to have its rules on food trade made by the EU without any input, Mr Burnham told broadcasters: “What’s facing me two weeks on Friday is a UK-EU summit where I have the opportunity to add to UK growth.

“It’s estimated up to 0.4% extra on GDP.

“I think people in Britain would expect me to take that with both hands, given where we’ve been in recent times, and that’s what I’m doing.

“We’re not in the EU, therefore, we do have to work with them in a different way.

“But if that can get growth, if that can help our farmers, if that can remove red tape from British businesses, I think most people would expect me to go to that summit and negotiate the best deal that I can.”

The Prime Minister had earlier told the Economist magazine that the Treasury had confirmed in recent days that agreements under negotiation ahead of a summit later this month could raise GDP by 0.4% – up from the previous estimate of 0.3%.

Mr Burnham wants to lock in deals on food and drink, emissions trading and a youth mobility scheme at a Brussels summit on November 20.

In a sign that a food and agriculture deal is almost finalised, a draft text has been circulated among the 27 EU members, the BBC reported, along with similar documents on the emissions trading and youth mobility plans.