UK to raise youth mobility cap towards 80,000 to unlock EU deal

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 2 Nov, 09:46 · Archive

Britain is negotiating a youth mobility scheme with the EU, raising its proposed annual cap towards 80,000 young Europeans.

Britain and the EU are in the final stages of negotiating a youth mobility agreement that would enable under-30s to live, work, study and travel for a time-limited period on both sides of the Channel. The scheme is part of a wider Brexit reset deal being discussed at a UK-EU summit planned for 20 November, alongside agreements on food and drinks trade and carbon emissions trading.

The youth mobility arrangement has proven the most contentious of the three items under negotiation. The UK Government, keen to limit the impact on net migration numbers, has increased the annual cap it is prepared to offer from 50,000 to between 75,000 and 80,000. The EU, however, is pushing for 100,000 a year, with an EU diplomat saying member states needed 'a fair share of this cake'.

A UK source familiar with negotiations said a compromise below 100,000 is on the cards, but the figure will likely move closer towards the EU's target before 20 November. Meanwhile, the Government has separately announced changes to indefinite leave to remain, with social care workers already in the UK expected to be exempt from a 15-year wait, though most other migrants will need to wait 10 years.

UK to raise youth mobility cap towards 80,000 to unlock EU deal — Image: Daily Mail

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How it is being reported

Burnham's surrender summit: PM to blow £450m on cut-price tuition fees for EU students and agree 80,000 a year youth 'free movement' scheme - as Labour pushes to undo BrexitThe Prime Minister is said to be ready to offer the cash in exchange for Brussels allowing British firms to join its 'made in Europe' programme at a summit later this month.Daily Mail · 2 Nov, 09:32
UK may have to accept almost 100,000 young Europeans a year to unlock Brexit dealBritain and the EU are currently in the final stages of negotiation over a package it is hoped can be unveiled at the upcoming UK-EU summitThe i Paper · 1 Nov, 15:12
UK ‘to raise youth mobility cap to 80,000 a year’ to unlock EU talksA youth mobility scheme has been a major demand from Brussels in exchange for dropping checks on food and drink exportsThe i Paper · 1 Nov, 08:10

In this story: United Kingdom · European Union · Shabana Mahmood

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