European Movement UK welcomes today's report in The Times that suggests the Government is looking to negotiate a reciprocal agreement with the EU, one that could see UK citizens 18-30 being allowed to live and work in an EU country for a set time period, with a reciprocal arrangement for EU citizens to do the same here.
We know the EU is keen to open up discussions with the UK about an agreement on youth mobility.
This could bring massive benefits for young people, and for the cultural and personal connections between our country and other parts of Europe.
It's also really popular, with polling showing that even Leave voters are 68% in favour of such a scheme.
But are our government willing to listen? It's unclear. The Times reported a government source saying it could be on the table in negotiations with the EU. But The Guardian has another government spokesperson denying any plans to open discussions.
The European Movement supports greater freedom to travel, collaborate, live and work between our country and the EU - for everyone. But tackling barriers that Brexit put on young people's future is the right place to start. That's why we're also campaigning to rejoin the Erasmus+ programme, and regain access to opportunities for training, study, sport, and more.
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Cecilia Jastrzembska, President of Young European Movement, said:
"The UK’s withdrawal from the European Union has had a devastating impact on opportunities for young people, particularly our withdrawal from the Erasmus+ student exchange scheme. YEM UK looks forward to the government meaningfully strengthening relations with our European neighbours."
Dr Mike Galsworthy, Chair of European Movement UK, said:
“A mutual youth mobility scheme is such an obvious good for all concerned that a YouGov poll in April found even Leave voters were 53% in favour vs 27% against. The public support for such youth opportunities is absolutely overwhelming and I am baffled as to why the government seem so heavy-hearted and timorous about such a win-win. We’re a European country - it’s exciting - let’s embrace it.”
Mark English, European Movement UK's Policy Expert, said:
"It is time for a grown-up discussion, so it's good news that the government is reconsidering its earlier inexplicable hostility to a youth mobility scheme with the EU. After all, the UK has youth mobility schemes with 13 other countries - including Australia and Japan - so it makes sense to have one with our nearest neighbours and closest partners.
"No-one expects the government simply to accept the detail of a proposal not yet even endorsed by EU member states. But dismissing the idea of reciprocal youth mobility simply means letting down British young people who face all sorts of economic difficulties and have seen their horizons curtailed by Brexit. Young people want and deserve the chance to study or work in Europe. The government owes it to them to make sure they get that chance."