Sir Keir Starmer will discuss youth mobility during crunch talks with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday, according to The Independent.
It comes after the government, days after winning the general election, appeared to play down the prospect of a reciprocal youth mobility scheme that would allow young Europeans to more easily spend their gap years living and working in the UK, and British youngsters the same on the continent.
A deal on youth mobility has been one of Abta’s key asks of the new government to fill the void left by the end of posted working following Brexit.
Reports in August suggested that while the government was not keen to reverse immigration elements of Brexit due to the impact it might have on migration numbers, it was in favour of reinstating freedoms for some people to work abroad.
However, not long afterwards, the prime minister appeared to rule out any prospect of an immediate deal with the EU.
Starmer told journalists in Berlin in August: “We do not have plans for a youth mobility scheme but do have plans for a closer relationship between us and the EU.” He repeated these comments on Friday (27 September) in New York, but described the meeting with von der Leyen as “important”.
It is understood Downing Street is generally opposed to a deal on a youth mobility scheme, with home secretary Yvette Cooper believed to be the biggest opponent of such a scheme due to her desire to reduce immigration.
Former UK-based student Von der Leyen, meanwhile, is a keen supporter of youth mobility – and last week, The i newspaper reported the EU was ready to offer concessions to get a deal.
One of the concessions includes cutting the length of time EU citizens would be able to stay in the UK from four years to two or three, the paper reports.
A youth mobility deal is a key EU ask if Starmer wants to unlock new agreements on security and trade, The i newspaper added.
British universities insist they have adopted a “watch and wait” approach, but are ultimately likely to urge the government to find a way to restart the flow of EU students to the UK after Brexit.
In September, Sunvil chair Noel Josephides warned of dire consequences for travel if a youth mobility scheme is not introduced.
"Our industry, and the UK itself, will be much worse off as a result of no longer having access to such a resourceful young talent pool," said Josephides.
"Travel companies lose out, young people lose out, and the UK itself will lose out too."
