UK poised to agree post-Brexit youth visa scheme with EU after authorities U-turn | EUROtoday

The UK appears set to agree a post-Brexit youth mobility scheme with the European Union, regardless of beforehand ruling out such a deal.

Such a scheme – which has lengthy been pushed by the European Union however opposed by the British authorities – would enable beneath 30s to maneuver and work freely between international locations for a restricted time interval.

Britain already has related agreements with Australia and 12 different international locations, together with New Zealand, South Korea, Iceland, Uruguay, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Nick Thomas-Symonds, who has beforehand insisted there aren’t any plans for a youth mobility scheme, on Wednesday mentioned the UK would contemplate “sensible proposals” from Brussels.

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Meanwhile, a Downing Street spokesperson refused to repeat their earlier declare that the federal government is “not considering an EU-wide youth mobility scheme”.

The spokesperson mentioned the federal government is “always open to listening to sensible proposals from the EU within framework of bringing down net migration”, including: “I’m not going to get right into a working commentary. These talks are ongoing.” He also refused to define what those “sensible proposals” might be.

It comes ahead of a major EU-UK summit on May 19, where Sir Keir Starmer will host EU chiefs as he pushes for progress in his effort to reset relations with Brussels after the turmoil of the years since the Brexit vote in 2016.

Sir Keir’s “red lines” for the negotiations with Brussels include no return to freedom of movement between countries, but it is understood the government considers a limited youth mobility scheme would not break that promise.

Government sources said the decision to rule out a return to free movement did not prevent “controlled schemes that are in our national interest” being considered and there are already youth mobility schemes with 13 non-EU countries.

Mr Thomas-Symonds, the minister for EU relations, told the Financial Times that provided the UK government’s red lines were respected, “a smart, controlled youth mobility scheme would of course have benefits for our young people”.

There is widespread support among the British public for such an agreement, with a YouGov survey of almost 15,000 people indicating that two-thirds (66 per cent) of people backed the scheme, compared to just one in five (18 per cent) who are opposed.

In Nigel Farage’s Clacton-on-Sea constituency, which voted overwhelmingly in favour of leaving the EU in 2016, more than twice as many people were in favour (57 per cent) than against (25 per cent) the idea of a mobility scheme.

As not too long ago as final month, Mr Thomas-Symonds advised MPs “on the issue of a youth mobility scheme, it is not part of our plans” though he accepted the UK would hearken to proposals.

Liberal Democrat Europe spokesman James MacCleary mentioned Labour ought to “stop flip-flopping” and introduce a youth mobility scheme instantly.

“Securing a youth mobility scheme with the EU would be a common sense win-win – creating new opportunities for our young people and delivering a much-needed boost to our economy,” he mentioned.

But Tory chief Kemi Badenoch has warned a youth visa scheme might imply “we could end up with lots of unemployed people coming to the UK at a time when unemployment is increasing in our country”.

The May 19 summit is prone to be the primary in an annual sequence of UK-EU conferences, with progress on a safety and defence settlement and measures to easy commerce the preliminary priorities, relatively than detailed talks on a youth mobility scheme.

Mr Thomas-Symonds urged Britain can be ready to permit EU fishermen to proceed to take pleasure in entry to UK waters when a five-year settlement expires in 2026. French calls for over fishing rights have been a stumbling block to progress on points embrace a defence pact.

The minister additionally left open the door to Britain persevering with to align with EU guidelines in meals requirements and animal welfare, saying: “We are not interested in divergence for divergence sake or a race to the bottom on standards.”