The EU is seeking a firmer pledge from the British government to guarantee European students discounted rates on university tuition fees before a much-anticipated summit this month.

At a meeting of senior EU diplomats on Wednesday, at least six member states called for a clear commitment from the UK by the time of the summit that EU students will pay the lower domestic rate of university tuition fees.

These member states oppose deferring agreement for another half-year. Many believe a failure to reach an agreement should delay the highly prized food and drink deal to cut Brexit red tape coming into force.

European Commission negotiators have proposed postponing agreement on tuition fees by six months to ensure the success of the November event, where Burnham is expected to show his commitment to much closer ties with the EU.

Andy Burnham will meet the EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa on 20 November in Brussels, with the aim of signing three agreements – on food and drink, carbon markets…