Ministers have reiterated their opposition to any deal with Brussels that would allow young people to live and work in EU countries, with a report saying some elements of the deal could be agreed as part of wider negotiations.
On Wednesday, the Times quoted anonymous government sources as saying that British ministers had acknowledged they would have to “give in” on parts of a proposed reciprocal youth mobility scheme if they were to reach agreement on other areas, such as reducing checks on British food entering the EU.
“If we are serious about reshaping relations with the EU, we must be prepared to give them some of the things they want,” the source told the newspaper.
However, a government spokesman said that this was not being examined. “We are not considering it, there are no plans for it, nor is it being worked on,” they said.
Asked whether the issue might come up in future talks with the EU, they said: “Our negotiating team has very clear red lines and none of the preparatory work addresses this.”
Although the Labour Party adamantly insists it will never return to free movement, the idea of a youth mobility scheme – which would allow EU citizens under 30 to work and study in the UK for a limited period, and vice versa – is more similar to the agreements the UK has with countries such as Australia.
In April, the EU made a formal offer to negotiate a bloc-wide youth mobility programme, but this was immediately rejected by both the Labour Party and Rishi Sunak, then Conservative Prime Minister.
According to sources, the surprise offer was an attempt by the European Commission to block a move by Britain to sign unilateral deals with six countries, including France, Spain and Germany.
The French in particular insisted that Britain should not be allowed to cherry-pick when it comes to joining the EU after Brexit.
Another obvious obstacle to the EU proposal is the clause that would allow students from the UK and the EU to regain resident status at each other’s universities for four years.
This would mean that EU students would have to pay significantly lower tuition fees at UK universities. Representatives of UK universities have said they could not afford the extra costs and could not imagine how Labour would subsidise them. Sources say a three-year option would not ease the financial burden.
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The Liberal Democrats on Thursday called on the government to agree to a joint youth programme. Layla Moran, the party’s foreign affairs spokeswoman, said it would restore relations with the EU and “provide fantastic opportunities for our young people to live and work across Europe, while also giving the UK economy – particularly our hospitality sector – a much-needed boost”.
Presenting the Brussels proposal in April, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the program was an area where there could be “closer cooperation.”
“The issue of youth mobility is in our mutual interest because the more youth mobility there is on both sides of the Channel, the more likely we are to have a good relationship because the next generation knows each other very well,” she said.
