Rycroft, who served as the top civil servant overseeing Brexit preparations, wrote in The Times that most economic analyses show the UK has suffered a significant hit to GDP from leaving the single market. He said no one can credibly claim that Brexit has delivered sustained economic growth, and that promises of a comprehensive US trade deal now seem like an impossible dream. 'It is time to talk about rejoining. It might be time to knock on the EU’s door,' Rycroft wrote, according to multiple reports.
The intervention comes as some cabinet ministers reportedly want Prime Minister Keir Starmer to push harder for a customs union or single market membership. In January, Starmer said the UK should consider 'even closer alignment' with the single market. Separately, concerns over EU citizens' rights were raised at the European parliament on Thursday, with MEPs hearing that children born to EU citizens in the UK may not know they need to apply for settled status. A senior European Commission official said the UK's approach has led to very high healthcare charges for newborn children. The Home Office was also criticised for ending funding for charities helping vulnerable EU citizens with late settlement applications.