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The European Union (EU) is signaling readiness to make significant compromises in ongoing discussions to enable young individuals from Britain and Europe, aged 18 to 30, to travel and work without constraints. This could signify a potential reset in relations with Brussels after Brexit.
A proposed initiative aimed at facilitating the mobility of young Europeans to live and work in the UK has emerged as a pivotal element of the EU’s position in achieving a post-Brexit agreement that also encompasses issues like defense, energy, and migration.
Sources indicate that EU member states may be prepared to limit work visas to just 12 months, possibly incorporating numerical quotas and sector-specific restrictions for EU nationals seeking employment.
In addition, there is openness to a “one in, one out” policy that the home secretary is currently evaluating.
To reframe this initiative, EU sources suggest it might be branded as a “youth experience” program, distancing it from any implications of re-establishing immigration paths for EU citizens wishing to settle in the UK.
When questioned about the potential for a youth mobility scheme on Friday, a spokesperson from Downing Street commented that ongoing talks encompass a variety of matters, which is typical in negotiations.
Initially, in April 2024, the EU proposed a youth mobility scheme enabling young people to work or study across each other’s nations for up to four years, but this was rejected by political factions including both Labour and the Conservatives.
After a year of discussions, priority for this issue among key EU countries—such as France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands—has necessitated a willingness to compromise.
One insider noted that introducing a one-year visa with the possibility of extending for one or two additional years might be more politically palatable.
The UK is already involved in a youth mobility scheme that permits individuals from 12 non-EU countries to work for two to three years. However, recent Home Office statistics reveal that only 23,000 young people participated in this scheme in 2023, with Australia sending 9,900 of those individuals.
Reflecting a gradual easing of Eurosceptic resistance, Steve Baker, a prominent figure in the Brexit movement and former government minister, expressed support for the youth mobility initiative, asserting it would be beneficial and would not equate to a return to unrestricted EU movement.
Nevertheless, Baker criticized the controversy surrounding the plan, labeling it a “red herring” intended to distract attention from discussions on food and drink standards that could jeopardize a potential trade agreement with the United States.
The environment secretary, Steve Reed, emphasized that the government would not “violate” its manifesto commitments regarding freedom of movement, reiterating to Times Radio that their stance remains against a return to the single market, customs union, or free movement of people.
Meanwhile, Chancellor Rachel Reeves remarked during a meeting in Washington that the UK’s trading relationship with the EU is arguably of higher importance than that with the US.
The German ambassador to the UK shared his optimism regarding the youth mobility scheme following a meeting between Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Preparations are underway for the upcoming UK-EU summit scheduled for May 19.
Ambassador Miguel Berger conveyed his hopes to BBC Radio 4, stating, “I am now pretty optimistic that we are moving in a good direction.” He further added that such a program could allow less affluent young individuals the opportunity to work abroad and learn a new language, emphasizing the mutual benefits of such an arrangement.
Baker reiterated that a time-limited, capped scheme for young European individuals would not resemble the unrestricted EU free movement that allows for indefinite terms.
He urged policymakers to focus on the potential for a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement that would facilitate smoother food and drink exports, arguing that adherence to EU regulations could undermine the UK’s trade ambitions with the US and inhibit future economic growth, vital for sustaining pension commitments.
Simultaneously, Labour and the EU are working on seven foundational areas that will contribute to a declaration termed a “common understanding,” which will lead into detailed negotiations.
However, EU sources have indicated that the upcoming summit may not yield immediate decisions, but rather a mutual commitment to pursuing agreements on these multifaceted issues.
The seven priority areas identified include defense and security, carbon pricing, migration, youth experience, energy, and fishing; yet some critics argue that the negotiations lack the necessary ambition.
Certain member states are also advocating for the UK to rejoin the Erasmus+ program, which promotes educational and vocational exchanges, a proposal that faces significant resistance from the UK due to a historical imbalance in student exchanges.
Moreover, an official business advisory group formed under the Brexit trade and cooperation agreement has called for broader negotiations, seeking to remove bans on British seed potatoes exported to the EU, address barriers in pharmaceutical batch testing, and establish mutual recognition for professional qualifications.
The Domestic Advisory Group is additionally advocating for fewer restrictions on touring musicians and artists alongside their support teams and easier access to veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland.
Source
www.theguardian.com