Labour confirms youth mobility scheme on agenda – Daily Business

Labour has said it is looking to establish a youth mobility scheme with the European Union that would roll-back part of the Brexit deal.

It would enable young people in the UK to study and work on the continent — and allow those in the EU to do the same here.

While the government has previously played down suggestions it will pursue the idea, Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Europe minister, has now said that “a smart, controlled youth mobility scheme would of course have benefits for our young people”.

He told the Financial Times that ministers “will consider sensible EU proposals in this space” which are likely to replicate Britain existing schemes with several countries including Australia, Canada and Japan.

It is expected that an announcement will be announced at a ‘reset’ summit of EU chiefs with Sir Keir Starmer on 19 May.

The Prime Minister, fresh from trade agreements with India and the US, will aim to seal new agreements with teh EU on food standards and carbon taxes, reducing paperwork and border checks.

There is likely to be a boost for defence companies as part of an EU-UK security pact.

James MacCleary, the Liberal Democrats’ Europe spokesman, said that Labour should “stop flip-flopping” and introduce a youth mobility scheme immediately.

“Securing a youth mobility scheme with the EU would be a common sense win-win — creating new opportunities for our young people and delivering a much-needed boost to our economy,” he said.