The EU would like to open talks regarding the free movement of young people. The proposed deal would bring back many of the freedoms, allowing young people to live and work across borders.
Plans Suggested By EU Commission
The talks have been requested by the EU commission, and in effect it would enable young people to enjoy many of the pre-Brexit freedoms of living and working.
Young People Likely to Welcome Proposals
In the Brexit referendum of 2016, 73% of people aged 18-24 at the time voted to remain, which represented the highest percentage of all. Assuming the figures are broadly similar, it’ll be welcomed.
Government Likely to Reject Proposals
Early suggestions say that the government is open to talks on the matter, but not in this format. Instead, it would like to negotiate on a country-by-country basis. Whether the EU is open to this remains to be seen.
How it Differs From Previous Freedoms
The distinction between this policy and the previous one is that these proposals would be time limited. The deals are expected to last for 2-4 years, at which point there would possibly be a re-application.
Visitors Limited to Single Country
Another point of difference is that the UK citizen would only be allowed to stay in the country that accepted them, so they then wouldn’t be able to move freely within the EU. It would mean however, that they could live and work in one EU country without the long process.
Details Still Sketchy
It’s important to point out at this stage, there are only proposals on the table – no final details. Talks haven’t even started on the issue yet, and still might not.
Outline Proposal Stage on Paper
The suggestion is that the proposal has been put together by the EU commission because the UK had already made the first move, approaching several EU countries to discuss individual similar deals.
EU Not Keen on Differential Treatment
The EU’s stance says that this approach would lead to “differential treatment” of EU citizens, and wants a bloc-wide deal to ensure all EU citizens are “treated equally”.
Swiss Only Country With a Deal
So far, the British government has only negotiated one single deal with a country outside the European Economic Area (EEA), and that’s with Switzerland.
Why Would Both Parties Want Free Movement?
It’s largely a question of attracting the top talent, and solving a demographic problem. According to EU research, “population ageing (42%) and a shrinking working-age population and labour shortages (40%) are the demographic challenges most often considered as pressing in the respective Member States of the respondents.”
UK Has a Similar Problem
An ageing population (more people live for longer than ever before), and a low fertility rate (fewer babies being born) causes long term economic problems for a country. There are fewer workers available, and lower production. This reduces GDP.
Financial Commitments Rise, Ability to Pay Falls
As people live longer, they draw a pension for longer, and use NHS services etc for longer. With fewer workers paying into the pot, it creates a financial challenge. Many countries solve this with immigration.
UK Has Versions of Movement Deals
The ‘Youth Mobility Scheme Visa’ allows people from 10 countries (Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and others) to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years. It’s presently not open to anyone from the EU though.
Government Open to Discussions
The Home Office said the current youth mobility programmes are “successful” and it remained “open to agreeing them with our international partners, including EU member states”.
The Home Office Continued
“Our agreements provide a valuable route for cultural exchanges providing partner countries are also willing to offer the same opportunities for young British people.”
Immigration Figures Need to be Massaged
The reality is the government has made a pledge to reduce immigration, so they won’t be in a rush to put together a scheme that shows the immigration numbers are increasing. It’s all about optics right now.
Not a Pressing Issue
Don’t expect anything to happen quickly here. The government have a cost of living crisis, a Rwanda bill, ongoing trade talks and a general election to deal with, so this will be put at the bottom of the priority pile.
Labour Not Likely to Rush Either
Labour has said it has “no plans for a youth mobility scheme” in the event of a general election win later this year. They’ll have enough to deal with as well, as a brand new government.
Plans Will Win Support Amongst the Youth
Given the overwhelming majority of young people voted to remain in the EU, the youth are more Europhillic than the older generations. They’re likely to want more of the freedoms and flexibility that being part of the EU afforded us, and might push for more integration over time.
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