Citing a government source, The Times reports a reciprocal deal on youth mobility could be offered as a key olive branch to the EU following Brexit.
The paper said the new UK government had no plans to agree free movement of people generally, but could allow EU nationals under 30 to work in the UK for up to three years, with identical rights given to UK citizens wanting to work in Europe – something Abta has long advocated for.
Formal negotiations are likely to start in the autumn when new EU commissioners are in place, The Times report added. It said the UK government was keen not to attract allegations it is reversing immigration elements of Brexit but was in favour of some reinstatement of the freedom to work abroad.
The latest news follows tentative talks between the previous government and the European Commission in the spring. Any deal could mean renewed rights for UK travel firms to post staff overseas in roles such as reps, ski guides and chalet hosts.
Abta’s research with Seasonal Businesses in Travel (SBiT) found a 69% fall in UK nationals working in tourism support roles like these in Europe since the UK left the EU. The ban has led to some ski operators axing entire chalet programmes.
Abta believes there are damaging consequences for the industry’s future because 38% of travel staff and 49% of industry leaders worked overseas earlier in their careers.
Luke Petherbridge, Abta’s director of public affairs, said: “We have seen a big decrease in the number of people working in travel jobs in Europe, following the UK’s departure from the EU due to the extra constraints.
“We continue to encourage the government to extend the UK’s youth mobility scheme to EU countries, which would make it easier for young people to work abroad.
“We’re keen to stress that a youth mobility arrangement does not equate to freedom of movement. We already have youth mobility agreements with countries such as Australia and Japan, which do not equate to freedom of movement as participants are here for a limited period of time and do not have the longer-term right to remain."
