UK Warms to EU Youth Visa Deal as May Summit Looms

25 April UK: The UK is being increasingly receptive to a youth visa deal with the EU, as both prepare for a significant summit in London on May 19 to restore post-Brexit relations.

Though Labour previously claimed it had “no plans” for such a scheme, there is increasing political momentum. A youth mobility arrangement has emerged as a high-priority EU request in current co-operation negotiations. Downing Street carefully declined to renew its earlier stance on Thursday, instead opting not to comment on current negotiations.

Over 60 Labour MPs called for ministers to seek a “tailored” youth visa arrangement in which individuals under the age of 30 from the UK and EU would be enabled to work and study across borders. They wrote in a letter to Europe Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds that such an arrangement could provide critical education and cultural benefits.

Labour leader Keir Starmer has also seen European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen this week, with both confirming that “good progress” had been made and calling for teams to drive a good outcome next month.

Labour hopes the young people’s pact could be the precursor to stronger economic and security cooperation. There are also talks of a possible defence accord, which would open the door to the UK’s access to an EU €150bn loan programme that’s not open to partial British firm participation at the moment.

Germany’s UK ambassador, Miguel Berger, endorsed putting the youth deal in a wider package of negotiations, observing that EU citizens have encountered daunting barriers since Brexit, most notably over work visas.

The UK has youth mobility agreements with 12 countries outside the EU, such as Australia and Japan, providing for two-year residence and, in a few instances, an extension into a third year. These involve quotas, visa fees, and NHS charges.

The EU originally proposed a youth scheme in 2023, suggesting 18–30-year-olds be allowed to work, study, or volunteer in either region for up to four years. They also called for dropping the NHS surcharge and equalizing tuition fees with UK students.

Though, as reported, the Home Office desires tighter restrictions—perhaps limiting the scheme to one year and numbers, so that participants are not counted in migration statistics. The proposal could also be relabeled as a “youth experience scheme” to mitigate political tensions.

However, Conservative and Reform UK critics have been vehemently opposed, terming it a backdoor to immigration and contrary to the Brexit mandate. The Liberal Democrats and Greens are in favor of the plan, viewing it as an opportunity to reconnect with Europe and help young people.

As the summit looms, all eyes are now on whether or not both parties will seal the deal and move UK-EU relations onto an open track.

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