On Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer will be having his first bilateral meeting with President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.  

This is a huge moment for the development of UK-EU relations and will dictate the trajectory of ‘project reset’ that the new UK government is looking to deliver. 

One area where we are likely to see progress and alignment being discussed is youth mobility. As reported by The Times, we know the EU is keen to open discussions with the UK about an agreement on youth mobility. 

Now, two days ahead of Keir Starmer’s first proper meet with von der Leyen, The Guardian is reporting that “British universities are urging the government to find a way to restart the flow of EU students to Britain after Brexit, including a possible return to the Erasmus student exchange programme.” 

“We really, really regret the fact that we have lost a flow of really good European students into the UK,” said Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK, an advocacy organisation for universities in the United Kingdom. 

European Movement UK believes it is promising to see the media giving attention to the matter of a new UK-EU youth mobility deal, one which could seriously boost the UK economy, and provide life-changing opportunities for young people. 

“EU data for 2020 shows that 17,795 students came to the UK in 2018/2019, almost double the number of British students, 9,908, that went to the EU,” reports The Guardian.  

“The previous year, 18,839 EU citizens came to British universities compared with 9,540 going to the EU.” 

European Movement UK has been urging the UK government to reach a post-Brexit deal with the EU on youth mobility for some time, and for this deal to be negotiated as quickly as possible.  

Last month, the European Movement welcomed the possibility of a new round of negotiations between the UK and the EU on a new youth mobility scheme. 

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.” 

European Movement UK and Young European Movement UK are calling on the UK government to open negotiations to re-enter the Erasmus+ programme, and for opposition political parties to pledge their support. 

Sign the petition now to build the pressure on this vital issue. 

(Header image: Shutterstock)