Today at 20:03
The UK is seeking to reach an agreement with the European Union on a youth mobility scheme, a key demand from Brussels, as part of broader negotiations to strengthen ties in defense and trade, Bloomberg reports.
According to sources, the UK is considering meeting the EU’s condition of facilitating regular student exchanges while avoiding an increase in net migration.
Last year, Brussels proposed a deal allowing EU and UK citizens aged 18 to 30 to stay in the host country for up to four years.
Although Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously stated that his government had no plans for such a mobility program, London is reportedly exploring compromise options to present to the EU.
This shift reflects Starmer’s government’s goal of making progress in EU negotiations on updating trade and defense relations, a key pledge of the Labour Party ahead of the July 2024 elections.
Detailed negotiations are expected to begin after a bilateral summit scheduled for April 2025.
Bloomberg also notes that Starmer’s chief of staff, Sue Gray, made an unannounced visit to Brussels in December 2024 as part of London’s efforts to rebuild ties with the EU. Additionally, the UK government plans to appoint a dedicated EU negotiator.
Read also: Air defense systems, missiles worth £2B: Govt submits bill to VR to ratify agreement with Britain
