A controversial deal to allow EU nationals under 30 to migrate to the UK is back on the table, a minister revealed yesterday.
The scheme echoes the pre-Brexit freedom of movement agreement, allowing young Europeans to come to Britain to work or study for four years and bring their families with them.
Nick Thomas-Symonds, Paymaster General, said yesterday he would “look at EU proposals” which include the youth mobility scheme, but ruled out “a return to freedom of movement.”
Experts have predicted the scheme could be used as a bargaining chip in larger discussions around security or trade.
His words come after Keir Starmer- an ardent remainer and campaigner for a second referendum- called for a ‘reset with the EU’ and closer cooperation, though he has remained tight-lipped on the scheme.
Prominent Labour politicians like Sadiq Khan and Stella Creasy have campaigned for it, despite Labour’s rejection of the idea during the election campaign. It is likely such a move would play well with large swathes of their remain-voting, pro-EU base.
Critics say it could be the beginning of a slippery slope towards reinstating freedom of movement.
Reform MP Richard Tice hit out at the scheme on X this morning stating: “Labour FINALLY admits plans for free movement of EU youngsters.
“No. No. No.
“This will open the floodgates to even more wage suppression and higher rents as well as pressure on GPs and hospitals.”
Richard Tice has slammed Labour for not ruling out a Youth Mobility Scheme with the EU
PA
The scheme, which would afford young Britons the same right to study or workin the EU, could be in place as soon as 2025. Draft proposals have been published by the EU and seen by the bloc’s 27 member states.
News of the scheme’s possible reintroduction comes as Britain is gripped in a national debate over immigration, particularly the surging number of people coming to Britain when public services are stretched to breaking point.
Rishi Sunak, architect of the now scrapped Rwanda policy, passed legislation that saw foreign postgraduate students on non-research courses lose the right to bring their families with them to curb immigration.
As a result, the number of visas for students bringing their families fell 85 per cent, from 115,700 to 17,800.
It is likely this reduction would be wiped out by a Youth Mobility Scheme, however.
