German ambassador ‘really optimistic’ about new post-Brexit youth mobility scheme regardless of confusion in UK authorities | EUROtoday

The German ambassador to the UK has stated he’s “really optimistic” a few doable new post-Brexit youth visa, regardless of obvious confusion throughout the British authorities over any deal.

On Thursday, senior minister Nick Thomas-Symonds slapped down speak of a brand new youth mobility scheme between the UK and EU nations.

And on Friday the surroundings secretary Steve Reed insisted there would no return to “freedom of movement” between Britain and the bloc, which was a Labour manifesto pledge.

But Chancellor Rachel Reeves has not dominated out the concept, saying discussions are “ongoing”.

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The Home Office can also be regarded as softening its opposition, over fears migrant numbers are already too excessive, amid speak of a “one in, one out” scheme.

And the EU is ready to make main concessions, together with accepting that visas may final simply 12 months, with quotas and restrictions on what sectors EU residents may work in, in keeping with a report within the Guardian, which ministers didn’t deny.

German ambassador to the UK Miguel Berger stated that he was “really optimistic” concerning the probabilities of a deal on such a visa, in an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

He added that talks had been “moving in a good direction”.

Downing Street appeared to sign that ministers see a youth scheme as totally different to freedom of motion, which affected everybody, saying the federal government wouldn’t be “defined by the debates and arguments of the past”.

Freedom of motion was a key flashpoint within the run as much as the UK’s exit from the EU.

A Number 10 spokesman stated on Friday: “Both sides are discussing a wide range of issues… I don’t think we could have been clearer that this is not about returning to the EU, but we will not be defined by the debates and arguments of the past.”

He also highlighted the PM’s belief that a better partnership with the EU would benefit “British people and British business”.

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Labour’s 2024 general election manifesto said “there might be no return to the one market, the customs union, or freedom of motion”.

The government pressure is under from its own backbenchers to agree to a youth visa with the EU, after more than 60 Labour backbenchers this week urged it to sign up as part of its reset with the bloc.

In a letter to Mr Thomas-Symonds, the minister in charge of negotiations with the EU, 62 MPs and 11 peers called for “a brand new and bespoke youth visa scheme” for UK and European residents beneath 30.

Under the plan it will have a time restrict on visas and a cap on the numbers allowed in – according to the prevailing offers between the UK and nations equivalent to Australia and Canada.

But on Thursday Mr Thomas-Symonds advised MPs: “On the issue of a youth mobility scheme, it is not part of our plans. We have always said we listen to sensible EU proposals, but we will not go back to freedom of movement.”

Former high civil servant Philip Rycroft, who was the everlasting secretary on the Department for Exiting the European Union, warned ministers had made a “tactical mistake” by ruling out a mobility scheme.

“It meant that if we do a deal, and I hope we do on youth mobility, there will be accusations of a climbdown,” he stated at an proof session of the UK Trade and Business Commission on Thursday.