The UK government is actively pursuing a new youth mobility agreement with the European Union, aiming to finalise the deal by the end of 2026. This initiative forms a key part of a broader effort to reset Britain's relationship with Europe six years after its departure from the bloc.
Key Details of the Proposed Scheme
Under the proposed plan, tens of thousands of young British and European citizens would gain the right to live and work in each other's countries. UK officials are pushing for the scheme to have a strict two-year time limit for participants and an overall cap set in the "tens of thousands." This is a point of negotiation, as the EU is understood to be advocating for a longer, four-year limit.
The government views the agreement as one of several tangible benefits it can deliver to the public. A government source briefed on the talks highlighted that if a two-year scheme launches by 2027, the first wave of European participants would return home before the next general election, expected in 2029. This, they argue, would demonstrate the programme is controlled, time-limited, and would have no net impact on overall UK migration figures, as numbers would be offset by Britons moving to Europe.
Political Shift and Negotiation Hurdles
The push for closer ties comes amid a significant shift in political rhetoric from the top of government. In a recent speech, Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticised the "wild promises" of Brexit campaigners, stating the UK was still dealing with the economic consequences. Similarly, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy noted that Turkey's partial customs union with the EU seemed to be benefiting its growth, acknowledging Brexit had "badly damaged the economy."
Formal negotiations on the youth mobility scheme began in September. However, UK officials have expressed frustration over delays, attributing them to the European Commission's slow process of obtaining a mandate from EU member states. Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Cabinet Office minister leading the UK side, is due to meet EU counterpart Maroš Šefčovič in Brussels to discuss progress.
Other aspects of the EU reset, including talks on food standards and a joint carbon emissions scheme, only commenced in mid-November, indicating the wide-ranging but gradual nature of the rapprochement.
Design Priorities and Public Support
Both sides have specific priorities for the scheme's design. The EU wants to ensure participants are committed to living and working in one country for the scheme's duration and that all 27 member states benefit. For the UK, a key priority is ensuring the scheme is accessible to young people from working-class backgrounds, with no prohibitive fees or barriers.
The model is likely to be based on the UK's existing youth mobility schemes with countries like Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea. Notably, the UK-Australia scheme has a cap of 45,000, though fewer than 10,000 Australians utilised it last year. Given the EU's population of nearly 450 million, Brussels is expected to push for a higher cap.
Public and political support appears strong. A YouGov poll in September found 62% of voters believed Brexit was more of a failure than a success. Furthermore, over 70% of the public reportedly supports a controlled youth mobility programme, and more than 60 Labour MPs have publicly endorsed such a scheme.
A government spokesperson stated: "We are working together with the EU to create a balanced youth experience scheme which will create new opportunities for young people to live, work, study and travel. As agreed with the EU in May, any final scheme must be time-limited and capped."
