EU 'will demand youth mobility deal' from Keir Starmer

A controversial scheme to allow hundreds of thousands of young EU citizens to move to the UK could be put in place as soon as next year.

Diplomatic sources said the European Union will formally ask Sir Keir Starmer to sign off a new ‘youth mobility deal’ within weeks as part of his bid to ‘reset’ relations with the bloc.

Sources said that, if approved, the scheme could be put in place within months, giving EU citizens aged under 30 the right to move to the UK for up to four years to work or study. In return, British youngsters would enjoy similar rights to move anywhere in the EU.

Labour rejected the idea in the run-up to the election, as Sir Keir tried to persuade voters that he had moved on from his pro-Remain views.

But the Prime Minister was today facing a pincer movement designed to persuade him to approve the scheme, which critics have likened to the free movement arrangements in place before Brexit.

A string of European leaders, including powerful German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have publicly called for the introduction of the scheme.

And a diplomatic source told the Mail that Sir Keir would find it ‘tough’ to get a significant new deal with the EU if it rejects the demand. The source said early indications from the new government were that the issue is ‘not a red line or even a pink line’.

And Labour Remainers piled pressure on the PM to back the scheme. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has already called for it to be introduced, saying it would ‘benefit us economically, culturally and socially.’.

Tomorrow, the powerful Labour Movement for Europe will echo the call at a rally at the party’s annual conference.

Stella Creasy, leader of the group which comprises 120 Labour MPs and peers, said the deal would be similar to arrangements already in place with some Commonwealth countries, like Australia.

‘What is unreasonable is trying to conflate a youth mobility scheme with immigration — because it’s a very different scheme, it’s not freedom of movement, it’s not unlimited,’ she said.

‘Do they say that about the Canadians or the Australians or the New Zealanders? This is not a new idea. These are our closest neighbours.’

She told Politico: ‘Are we organised? Yes, absolutely. Are we growing? Yes, absolutely. Do we have areas of policy we’re working on? Yes, absolutely.’

The European Commission has been encouraged by the growth of the pro-EU movement within Labour and has also been in discussions with senior Lib Dems about efforts to push Sir Keir into softening his pre-election stance.

Sir Keir was an ardent Remainer who campaigned for a second referendum and once pledged to restore free movement if he won power.

But he adopted a more sceptical stance in a bid to win back Labour Brexiteers in Red Wall seats in the North and Midlands. At the election he ruled out rejoining the EU’s single market or customs union, but pledged to pursue closer defence ties and better market access for business.

The EU published draft proposals earlier this year, which would allow anyone aged under 30 in the bloc’s 27 member states to move temporarily to the UK. Those arriving would be free to live and work in the UK for up to four years. They would also have the right to bring family members with them.

A final deal is now being prepared in conjunction with EU member states and will be presented to the UK this autumn.

EU sources reject comparisons with free movement, pointing out that the deal would only apply to the young, would only grant permission for four years and would require those involved to get visas. Brussels believes an influx of young EU migrants could also help fill vacancies in sectors like hospitality where businesses struggle to recruit enough UK workers.

But the Home Office is reported to be nervous about any move which would swell overall immigration figures at a time when they are the subject of intense public debate.

A Government source last night said there were ‘no plans’ for a youth mobility scheme and insisted there would be ‘no return to free movement’.