EU member states are developing a revised proposal for a youth mobility program with the UK after an initial draft by the European Commission was swiftly dismissed by Labour in April, sources have revealed.
EU insiders indicate that the 27 member countries aim to formulate practical negotiating points for Brussels over the coming weeks. These points are intended to contribute to the anticipated negotiations on resetting EU-UK relations, a goal pursued by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The fresh proposals are seen as an opportunity for Starmer’s team to start anew on the issue, potentially offering a counter-proposal while reducing political resistance from Eurosceptics.
Discussions in EU capitals have coincided with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressing concern over the significant reduction in engagement with young people from the UK across the EU.
“The interaction between our societies, particularly between Germans and people in the UK, has diminished considerably since Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic. We want to change that; when people know each other better, they understand each other better,” Scholz told reporters on Wednesday.
The German ambassador to the UK, Miguel Berger, emphasized that youth mobility should not be confused with migration or free movement. “We repeatedly hear the argument that [youth mobility] equates to freedom of movement, but it does not, as it is governed by visa requirements and limited time periods. Individuals leave after a defined period,” he explained.
Berger highlighted the importance of providing young people opportunities to work as baristas or au pairs, learn languages, or undertake short-term training in each other’s countries, which builds meaningful connections and serves as a “glue” between European nations.
He added, “What we aim to promote is societal contact because, ultimately, these connections are the backbone of our relationships: youth exchanges, sports events, and town twinnings. A relationship can’t solely depend on politicians meeting.”
The European Commission had previously proposed a youth mobility scheme in April, allowing citizens to work or study for up to four years, which surprised many in London and the EU. Labour, wary of Brexit-related sensitivities, rejected it within hours, and Downing Street followed suit the next day.
The proposal was perceived as a hasty move to shut down talks initiated by former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak with six EU countries, including France and Germany, for individual youth schemes.
Berger noted that youth mobility programs are a bilateral matter, but the 27 EU countries agreed to proceed as a unified bloc and were eager to restore opportunities for young people.
“I know that all 27 EU countries prioritize creating additional possibilities for young people,” he said, emphasizing that the scheme would be inclusive and not just for the “elite.”
Many countries, including the UK, already offer youth mobility programs, allowing young people to stay for two years. These include reciprocal agreements with countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Korea, Andorra, Japan, Monaco, Iceland, Uruguay, and San Marino.
University representatives have stated that youth exchanges, such as the Erasmus program, have a “return on investment” in terms of “soft power,” which was overlooked during Brexit. However, they believe that including a four-year study program with home fees, as proposed in April, is unfeasible. A youth mobility scheme excluding students could have a better political chance.
A source in the UK noted the impracticality of the proposal due to the “imbalance in the flow of students,” with more EU citizens studying in the UK than British students in the EU. This created a disproportionate financial burden on British institutions, making it untenable within a youth mobility scheme. Additionally, even if EU citizens were allowed to study in the UK, other barriers, such as the high cost of visas and the NHS surcharge, remain.
One alternative to rejoining Erasmus being explored at the university level is increasing funding for EU students wishing to exchange with a university in a third country.
Following discussions with Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris, Starmer mentioned that they had talked about his plans to reset relations with France and the broader EU.
“We discussed the situation in Ukraine, as expected, the Middle East, bilateral trade, defense, and security issues, as well as the broader reset that I am seeking in our relations, not just with France but with the EU as a whole,” he stated.
“These were the topics we addressed as part of the effort to reset, rebuild, and ensure our primary mission of growing the economy remains central to all our actions.”
