The UK government on Friday refused to comment on reports that a youth mobility scheme may be part of any deal to ‘reset’ Britain’s ties with the European Union.
Prime minister Keir Starmer, a strong supporter of staying in the EU during the 2016 referendum, has promised to deepen post-Brexit ties with the continent, and hopes to agree a new deal as the first UK-EU summit since the country left the bloc looms next month.
Economic and security ties are believed to be on the table for the May 19 London summit, but speculation is rife about what concessions the UK will have to make, particularly in the areas of fisheries and freedom of movement.
More than 60 Labour MPs on Wednesday called for the government to agree to a youth mobility scheme that would allow British and European 18- to 30-year-olds to travel freely between the UK and EU—reportedly a key European demand.
German ambassador to the UK Miguel Berger told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: ‘I am now pretty optimistic that we are moving in a good direction.’
But the Labour government is under pressure at home to reduce migration levels and has previously denied such a deal was being considered.
Environment minister Steve Reed said Friday that it was ‘right’ to say there are no plans for a youth mobility scheme and dismissed as ‘speculation’ a Times newspaper report that the government could be open to a ‘one in, one out’ proposal.
When asked about the reports on Friday, Starmer’s spokesperson said the government would ‘not to get into a running commentary’ on the talks, but that ‘both sides are discussing a wide range of issues.’
Finance minister Rachel Reeves said Wednesday: ‘We want to see net migration fall as a government. We also want to have control of who comes into this country.
‘But we’re not going to be returning to free movement. We will bring down net migration, and the talks are ongoing with the EU around reducing trade barriers,’ she added.
The MPs urging the government to agree the scheme said visas could be time-limited and capped, potentially allowing the government to stick to its manifesto commitments to reduce migration.
