Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has indicated that a youth mobility scheme could be part of a new agreement with the European Union, marking a potential shift in post-Brexit relations. Speaking ahead of a UK-EU summit scheduled for Monday at Lancaster House, Starmer emphasized that such an arrangement would be strictly reciprocal and would not constitute a return to pre-Brexit freedom of movement.
Under the proposed scheme, young people from the UK and EU could live and work in each other’s countries for up to two years. While no firm details have been released — including age limits or caps on participant numbers — the Prime Minister insisted that the plan aligns with Labour’s manifesto, which rules out restoring full freedom of movement.
“This is not freedom of movement,” Starmer said, responding to criticism from Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, who accused the government of pursuing “free movement through the back door.” Badenoch stated on X that her party supports youth mobility schemes, but only under capped migration rules.
Reform UK has also expressed concerns, with deputy leader Richard Tice calling the idea a “thin end” of reintroducing EU-wide free movement.
The European Union is reportedly pushing for stays of up to four years, while the UK prefers shorter durations, between one and two years. Any agreement is expected to be announced in principle during Monday’s summit, but will not be finalized at that time, according to BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg.
Youth mobility schemes are not new for the UK. The country already operates similar arrangements with 12 non-EU nations, including Australia, Canada, and Japan, allowing young people to work and travel for up to two years — with some nationalities eligible for a third year. These visas are subject to quotas, ranging from 100 to 42,000 depending on the country.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has called for clear messaging from the government and voiced strong support for the initiative, saying it could address labour shortages in sectors such as hospitality, health care, and the creative industries.
Liberal Democrat Europe spokesperson James MacCleary welcomed the development, calling it a “glimmer of hope” for young people impacted by Brexit.
While the government has ruled out rejoining the Erasmus exchange programme for now, European Relations Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said the UK remains open to “sensible proposals” from Brussels.
Alongside youth mobility, Monday’s summit is expected to address other post-Brexit issues, including fishing rights. Starmer described the talks as “a really significant moment” that could boost jobs and living standards across the UK.
