A youth mobility scheme, enabling British and European citizens to live and work in the EU, is on the table as Labour pushes for a comprehensive trade deal with Brussels.
Labour Seeks to Revive EU Trade Deal Amid Youth Mobility Scheme Push
Keir Starmer’s government is under pressure from over 60 new Labour MPs to allow thousands of young Europeans to live and work in the UK, a move seen as key to unlocking a more ambitious trade reset with Brussels.
Youth mobility schemes are government initiatives that allow young people to live and work in another country for a specified period.
These programs aim to promote cultural exchange, 'language skills, and employability among youth'.
Typically, participants must be between 18 and 30 years old and meet specific eligibility criteria.
Benefits often include visa sponsorship, access to local healthcare, and opportunities for education and career development.
Statistics show that participating in such schemes can increase earning potential by up to 20% and boost language skills by an average of 2-3 levels.
A Key European Demand
A youth mobility scheme, which would enable British and European citizens aged 18-30 to travel freely, has been identified as a crucial European demand for securing an economic deal with the UK. The EU is now open to discussing time-limited visas, potentially paving the way for a comprehensive agreement.
Labour MPs Call for Time-Limited Visas
A letter signed by over 60 Labour MPs, including those from constituencies that voted to leave the EU, urges the government to create new opportunities for British young people to work and travel in the EU. The MPs advocate for a time-limited, capped youth visa scheme, with a cap of approximately 70,000 people.
Cabinet Differences Remain
Cabinet divisions persist over the shape of a potential youth visa deal. While Chancellor Rachel Reeves supports a time-limited scheme, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has insisted on a cap on numbers, with a one-year time limit. This stance is driven by the government’s goal to reduce net migration.
EU Sources Weigh In
An EU source notes that everyone involved in negotiations is cautious but desires to find a solution that eliminates concerns about increased migration. The proposed quotas could be implemented in various forms and may not necessarily involve strict numbers.
The European Union's (EU) trade policy is a complex framework that governs the bloc's international trade relationships.
The EU has a unified trade policy, which is set by the European Commission and implemented by member states.
The EU's main trade objectives include promoting economic growth, creating jobs, and ensuring fair competition.
Key aspects of EU trade policy include tariff reduction, non-tariff barriers, and regulatory cooperation with trading partners.
The EU also negotiates trade agreements with third countries to facilitate market access and promote bilateral trade.
Labour Seeks to Revive Trade Deal Ambitions
Stella Creasy, chair of the Labour Movement for Europe, has called on the government to pursue even more ambitious trade deal objectives. She emphasizes the need to reduce barriers to trade with Europe created by the Tory Brexit deal, including paperwork and regulations affecting energy costs.
A Two-Headed Monster: Experts Weigh In
Mij Rahman, head of Europe at the Eurasia Group consultancy, suggests that Labour’s push may be in a race against time to secure agreements before addressing the impact of Brexit on UK economic growth. The expert notes that both the US and EU deals pose challenges for the government.
A Closer Relationship with the EU?
The letter from Labour MPs has been privately welcomed by some ministers as a signal of the outline of what the government is seeking to achieve. The proposed youth mobility scheme, trade cooperation, and other agreements could pave the way for a closer relationship between the UK and the EU, based on free and frictionless trade, shared values, and political trust.
The UK's relationship with the EU dates back to 1973 when it joined the European Economic Community (EEC).
The EEC later evolved into the EU in 1993.
Over the years, the UK has been a key player in shaping EU policies and regulations.
However, in 2016, the UK voted to leave the EU in a referendum known as Brexit.
This led to complex negotiations between the two parties regarding trade agreements, border control, and other issues.
As of 2021, the UK has officially left the EU's single market and customs union.
‘I’m not sure we can afford to wait’ was said by Keir Starmer about the need for a more ambitious trade deal with Brussels.
