NEWS · 21 February 2025
Today’s news on youth mobility is a big win, with the British government finally prepared to negotiate a scheme with the EU.
Part of the credit must go to the over 3,000 of you who wrote to your MP about this issue, and all other groups who campaigned on it.
The UK is set to switch its position in response to the EU’s pre-election youth mobility proposal and consistent stance since then.
There are many flaws in the reported UK counter-proposal, which includes a cap on numbers and NHS charges. However, making any proposal means that negotiations can finally open. The final scheme will likely fall somewhere in-between the EU and UK versions.
This youth mobility scheme, while it falls far short of freedom of movement, will be the most significant thing so far to come out of the long-trailed “Brexit reset”.
It is nowhere near enough – but it is a small stepping stone towards further alignment with the EU and the full restoration of freedom of movement for all ages in the future.
