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A controversial plan to allow hundreds of thousands of young EU citizens to move to the UK could be launched next year.
Diplomatic sources said the EU will formally ask Sir Keir Starmer to sign a new “youth mobility agreement” within weeks as part of its attempt to “reset” relations with the bloc.
The sources said that if approved, the plan could be put in place within months, giving EU citizens under 30 the right to visit the UK for up to four years to work or study. In return, young Britons would enjoy similar rights to travel anywhere in the EU.
Labour rejected the idea in the run-up to the election, when Sir Kier tried to convince voters he had put his pro-Remain views behind him.
But the Prime Minister now faces a pincer movement designed to persuade her to approve the plan, which critics have compared to the pre-Brexit free movement regime.
A number of European leaders, including powerful German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (pictured with Keir Sturmer last month), have publicly called for the plan to be put in place.
A number of European leaders, including powerful German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, have publicly called for the project to be launched.
And a diplomatic source told the Mail it would be “difficult” to secure a meaningful new deal with Sir Keir if the EU rejected the demands. The source said the initial indication from the new government was that the issue was “not a red line or even a pink line”.
And Labour Remainers have lobbied the Prime Minister to back the plan. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has already called for it to be introduced, saying it would “benefit us economically, culturally and socially”.
Tomorrow, a strong Labour Movement for Europe will echo the call at a rally at the party’s annual conference.
Stella Creasey, leader of the group of 120 Labour MPs and peers, said the deal would be similar to arrangements already in place with Commonwealth countries such as Australia.
“What is absurd is trying to combine the youth mobility plan with immigration, because it is a very different plan, it is not freedom of movement, it is not unlimited,” he said.
‘Are you talking about Canadians, Australians or New Zealanders? This is not a new concept. They are our closest neighbours.
He told Politico: ‘Are we organized? Yes, absolutely. Are we growing? Yes, absolutely. Do we have policy areas that we’re working on? Yes, absolutely.’
The European Commission has been encouraged by the growth of pro-EU movements within the Labour Party and has held talks with senior Liberal Democrats about efforts to soften Sir Care’s pre-election stance.
Sir Kiir was a staunch Remainer who campaigned for a second referendum and promised to restore free movement once he won power.
But he took a more dubious stance to win over Labour’s Brexit supporters 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 promised closer defence ties and better market access for businesses.
The EU published draft proposals earlier this year that would allow anyone under 30 from the bloc’s 27 member states to visit the UK temporarily. Those who come would be able to live and work in the UK for up to four years. They would also be entitled to bring their family members with them.
A final agreement is currently being prepared together with EU member states and will be presented to the UK this autumn.
Tomorrow, Stella Creasy (pictured) and a strong Labour Movement for Europe will echo the call at a rally at the party’s annual conference.
EU sources rejected comparisons with free movement, pointing out that the deal would only apply to young people, would only allow for four years and would require those involved to obtain visas. Brussels believes the influx of young EU migrants could also help fill vacancies in sectors such as hospitality, where companies are struggling to recruit enough British workers.
But the Home Office is said to be nervous about any move that could inflate overall immigration figures at a time when they are the subject of intense public debate.
A government source said last night that there were “no plans” for a youth mobility plan and insisted that there would be “no return to free movement”.
